The German Ministry of Defence (MoD) has certified the first of four Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW)-designed Type 214 submarines being built for the Hellenic Navy as seaworthy. The certification of flrst-of-class Papanikolis follows the completion of sea trials off Norway on 27 September and will put further pressure on Greece to take delivery of the 1,800-ton boat. In November 2006, Jane's revealed that the navy had refused to accept the submarine, which is fitted with air-Independent propulsion (AIP), due to alleged "technical deficiencies". Reported problems included poor stability in heavy seas, an acoustic signature that was too noisy, excessive propeller cavitation, overheating of AIP fuel cells, periscope vibration and seawater leakage. However, HDW's parent company, ThyssenK-rupp Marine Systems (TKMS), insisted at the time that the boat was ready for handover.
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