“This article focuses on matters related to Germany’s state of the art submarine U 31. Germany’s new U 31 is the quietest submarine that money can buy and it can stay submerged for a longer period than any other conventional submarine. The German Navy claims that it is ideally suited for covert reconnaissance and surveillance missions as well as anti-submarine warfare and special operations in hostile coastal waters. A mine detection sonar, towed sonar array and a system to monitor the ship’s own noise emissions give additional protection.”