The naval-tech article says
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HDW has developed the Type 214 submarine, which is a further improvement on the Type 212.
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That's only partially correct. The U-214 is based on U-209 with technologies of U-212A. You can see this at the hull of U-214 for example. Theres only one deck, the arrangement of the torpedo-tubes and the elevators are nearly the same as for U-209. More over U-212A has the more powerful AIP system (U-212A->304KW / U-214->240KW) and better MAD-protection because of the amagnetic hull. Therefore U-214 can dive a bit deeper and has some further sensors which will at first in batch 2 built in U-212 like Link 11 tactical data link, optronic mast and active-sonar.
In the meantime the German Navy has ordered 2 more U-212s of the 2nd batch.
There was a nice article of 'Marineforum' which gave a good overview about German submarine constructions, beninning with Typ VII C. Unfortunately it's not online currently.
About Scorpene I can't say much or at least you should ask some one who's more an expert in that field than me.