Navantia and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) sign a new MoU to advance submarine technologies

Gareth J. Hargreaves • August 28, 2026 20:02

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Navantia and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) sign a new MoU on submarine technologies

Spain’s Navantia and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening their bilateral strategic partnership in the development of new submarine technologies. Building on the first MoU signed in April of the current year, both firms are directing their efforts towards establishing a “joint collaboration framework” for the construction and marketing of submarines for the international market.

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Previous agreement and the European production context

In April 2026, Navantia and TKMS set this strategic partnership in motion by signing an MoU focused on industrial co-operation for naval projects at a continental level, within NATO and other international markets; the agreement even provides for TKMS projects to be developed at Spanish shipyard facilities. This corporate partnership sits against a backdrop of constrained production capacity in Europe, which is encouraging collaboration to enable industrial projects to be delivered more efficiently.

A “joint collaboration framework” to boost output and delivery performance

The new Memorandum, signed on 24 July, represents another step forward in the bilateral alliance, with the aim of defining a “joint collaboration framework” before the end of the year. Based on a shared outlook in certain areas, Navantia and TKMS would identify how to combine their production capabilities to raise industrial tempo, improve delivery timescales, and strengthen their ability to supply industrial projects to the international market, while also fostering a long-term technology partnership.

On this point, TKMS COO Dr. Andreas Görgen stated: “The Memorandum of Understanding signed today reflects the excellent progress of our discussions and the firm commitment of both partners to creating a new model that combines the capabilities of TKMS and Navantia in selected areas, expanding opportunities for both companies and offering our customers greater industrial capacity, technological excellence and better performance in delivery. At the same time, both partners will continue to operate independently and maintain their full commitment to their current programmes and customers”.

Navantia expands its Spanish submarine technology ecosystem

Alongside the MoU signings, Navantia opened its new Submarine Technology Centre to support research in cybersecurity, autonomous systems, advanced artificial intelligence and robotics applied to submarine technologies. This development strengthens the capabilities of Spain’s industrial ecosystem, which is involved in multiple naval projects domestically and internationally, including the Spanish Navy’s S-80 conventional submarine programme and the AVANTE 2200 corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy.