Navantia and Germany's TKMS Sign Second MoU to Jointly Develop Military Submarines

Spanish state shipbuilder Navantia and German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) signed a second Memorandum of Understanding on 24 July to deepen a strategic partnership on submarine production and commercialization. The agreement aims to establish a joint industrial framework for selected submarine projects, with the goal of finalising the collaboration before the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Both parties stressed that the pact does not involve a merger, shareholdings or asset transfers; existing contracts will remain independent.

The alliance seeks to combine complementary technological and industrial capabilities, enlarge European production capacity, shorten delivery times and enhance competitiveness against rivals such as France's Naval Group. TKMS executive Oliver Burkhard said, “European security demands a stronger, more resilient industrial base,” while Navantia executive Ricardo Domínguez echoed the need for European sovereign capability in a booming global submarine market.