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By the 1980s, the Type 206 that Pallamara had been making due with were showing their age, and it was imperative that a replacement be found. Options were tendered by German, Swedish, Dutch, and French companies, and in the end, a derivative of the Dutch Walrus Klasse was chosen. The design had to be enlarged because of the wider operating radius required for the Indian Ocean, and the design was lengthened again when when an AIP module was added as part of the upgrade program. Despite the improvements made during the upgrade program, which will see the vessels operating into the 2020s, the design is starting to show its age, prompting another sub order being made for a heavily modified Type 214. Although relations with Germany are good, the order has been placed through an Italian shipyard. The total numbers of sub at present are as follows:
1 x Type 206 (Training boat, soon to be museum, with duties being taken over by oldest of Haai Klasse)
6 x Haai Klasse
3 x Type 214, with three more planned.