List of U-boat types contains lists of the German U-boat types (submarine classes) used in World War I and World War II.

The anglicized word U-boat is usually only used as reference for German submarines in the two World Wars and therefore postwar submarine in the Bundesmarine and later German Navy are not included.

In the period between the two World Wars the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic was not allowed to build submarines according to the Treaty of Versailles; development was undertaken secretly through a Dutch company NV Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw before the mid-1930s. The terms of the Anglo-German naval agreement acknowledged the official building of new U-boats.

World War I This list contains the German U-boats types prior or during the First World War.

+ U-boat types of World War I Type Year of introduction Number of U-boats completed 1906 1 1906 1 Type U 3 1907 2 Type U 5 1908 4 Type U 9 1908 4 Type U 13 1909 3 1909 1 Type U 17 1910 2 Type U 19 1910 4 Type U 23 1911 4 Type U 27 1912 4 Type U 31 1912 11 1914 8 U 51 1914 6 U 57 1914 6 U 63 1915 3 U 66 1913 5 U 81 1915 6 U 87 1915 6 U 93 1915 22 U 115 1916 0 U 127 1916 0 U 139 1916 3 U 142 1916 1 U 151 1916 7 1912 1 UB I 1914 17 UB II 1915 30 UB III 1916 95 UC I 1914 15 UC II 1915 64 UC III 1916 16 UD 1 1918 0 UE I 1915 10 UE II 1916 9 UF 1918 0

World War II This list contains the German U-boats types prior or during the Second World War.

+ U-boat types of World War II Type Year of introduction Number of U-boats built Comments IA 1934 2 Fleet going ocean boat modeled on World War I designs IIA 1934 6 Prototype coastal patrol submarine IIB 1935 20 Improved coastal patrol submarine IIC 1937 8 Extended range coastal patrol submarine IID 1939 16 Long range coastal patrol submarine III 0 Design schematics created for a mine-layer submarine. Project was dropped due to design flaws IIIA0Prototype small boat carrier designed to hold two fast torpedo boats. Project discontinued due to difficulties launching small boats in heavy seas IV0 First attempt at a designing a supply U-boat for replenishment at sea. Cancelled shortly after initial designs. V 1940 1 Prototype boat, known as , to test a chemical reaction engine. VI0 Prototype steam propulsion submarine VIIA 1935 10 First practical post-World War I attack submarine VIIB 1936 24 Standard attack submarine in the early months of World War II VIIC 1938 568 Attack submarine "work horse" for the majority of World War II. VIIC (Flak) 1942 4 Special variant of Type VII which removed the deck gun and added extra anti-aircraft guns VIIC/41 1941 91 Upgraded attack boat with several additional offensive and defensive features as well as better diving ability. VIIC/42 1942 0 Project was cancelled in lieu of contracts for the Type XXI electrical attack boats VIID 1940 6 Mine layer submarine, few were produced VIIE0 Early designs indicate this was to be a deep diving submarine VIIF 1941 4 Designed to be used as torpedo transport. VIII 0 Intended as a fast attack submarine. Never went beyond initial designs IXA 1936 8 First post World War I long range fleet ocean boat IXB 1937 14 Standard pre-World War II fleet ocean boat IXC 1939 54 Upgraded fleet ocean boat used in the opening years of World War II IXC/40 1940 87 Enhanced fleet ocean boat with better diving abilities IXD1 1940 2U-180 and U-195 were boats of type IXD1. Heavy diesel boat, suffered from numerous design flaws. Rebuilt as long range transports IXD2 1940 28 Heavy diesel engine long range fleet boat. Heaviest and largest of the IX series IXD/42 1942 2U-883 and U-884 were boats of type IXD/42. (+ 4 cancelled) Attempt to upgrade the heavy diesel engine design. Never deployed operationally XA 1939 0 Designed to be used as mine layer. Retooled as the XB transport boat XB 1939 8 Long range transport boat XI 1937 0 "Cruiser submarine" with large deck guns. Project was cancelled XII 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Fleet Ocean Boat". Never developed. XIII 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Coastal Boat". Never developed. XIV 1940 10 Designed to be used as supply U-boat. Known by the nickname "Milk Cow" XV 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Transport Boat". Never developed. XVI 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Repair Boat". Never developed. XVIIA 1942 4 Fast attack boat with chemical propulsion system XVIIBThe XVIIC, D, E, F, H, I and J were unused variant design codes of the Germaniawerft shipyards 1943 3 Upgraded version of the XVIIB with slightly better abilities XVIIGU-1081 through U-1092 were specified as "G" variants. 19440 Upgraded version of the Type XVII. Boats were ordered but never deployed XVIIK 0 Prototype for a closed cycle diesel engine submarine. Never advanced beyond initial designs XVIII 1943 0 2 laid down, not completed. Intended for use as an advanced fast attack boat XIX 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Long range mine layer". Never developed. XX 0 Prototype for a "Long range transport boat". Project cancelled. XXI 1943 118 Most advanced U-boat of the Second World War. The first of the "electrical boat" designs XXII 0 Prototype for an "Advanced coastal boat". Project cancelled. XXIII 1943 61 Late war fast attack submarine, using the electrical boat design XXIV 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced fleet ocean boat". Never developed. XXV 0 Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced coastal boat". Never developed XXVI 0 Prototype for a "High speed attack boat". Project cancelled. XXVIIA 1944 53 Midget submarine "Hecht" XXVIIB 1944285 Midget submarine "Seehund"

See also List of naval ships of Germany List of naval ship classes of Germany

References

External links uboat.net - World War I U-boat types uboat.net - World War II U-boat types