How many U-boats did the Germans enter into World War II?

During World War II, Germany utilized a substantial number of U-boats (submarines) as part of their naval warfare strategy, especially for disrupting Allied supply lines across the Atlantic. By the end of the war in 1945, Germany had commissioned around 1,175 U-boats. This figure reflects the extensive efforts by the German Navy to adapt and expand its submarine fleet in response to maritime threats. The production of U-boats varied across the war years, with Germany increasingly focusing on this type of warfare due to its efficiency in targeting enemy shipping. The numbers show not just a strategic emphasis on submarines but also the shifting dynamics of naval power throughout the conflict.