Navantia and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore submarine shipbuilding opportunities across Europe, NATO, and global markets. The agreement focuses on strengthening industrial cooperation to deliver projects more efficiently, reduce costs, and accelerate timelines.
Both companies will initiate management-level discussions under a framework based on mutual trust, aligned with competition rules and export control regulations. The partnership will leverage TKMS’s established submarine designs, with production activities planned at Navantia’s shipyards in Spain.
The companies stated that the collaboration is intended to address increasing demand for advanced naval capabilities as militaries respond to evolving threats. It will also help strengthen Europe’s industrial base by combining expertise, infrastructure, and manufacturing experience.
Navantia is currently building up to six S-80 Isaac Peral-class submarines for the Spanish Navy, while TKMS is engaged in producing up to 15 submarines for the German and Norwegian navies. In 2025, TKMS was shortlisted alongside Hanwha Ocean for Canada’s next-generation submarine program and secured additional contracts, including six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy and a partnership with Fincantieri to offer the U212 Near Future Submarine to the Philippine Navy.
