German shipbuilder TKMS and Spanish state-owned strategic defense and technology company Navantia have signed a second Memorandum of Understanding, further strengthening their strategic partnership in the submarine sector.
The two companies intend to establish a joint collaboration framework for selected submarine projects by the end of the year, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.
Over the past three months, constructive discussions between TKMS and Navantia have identified key areas where the two companies’ complementary expertise can create additional value for customers. By combining their respective strengths, the companies aim to expand available industrial capacity, improve delivery timelines, and enhance operational performance while building a long-term technological partnership and strengthening customer supply capabilities in international markets.
The goal is to establish a formal cooperation framework by the end of the year, subject to the completion of all necessary regulatory approvals.
The planned partnership is focused exclusively on future business opportunities and does not involve any merger, acquisition, or transfer of shares or assets. Existing contracts, programs, and projects of both companies will remain fully independent and unaffected.
Through this collaboration, customers are expected to benefit from a broader industrial base, greater flexibility, and access to combined technological expertise, further enhancing the competitiveness of both TKMS and Navantia in global markets.
The cooperation will be conducted in full compliance with applicable competition laws, export-control regulations, and other relevant regulatory requirements. Any joint activities will be tailored to specific customer needs and implemented only with the required customer approvals.
“Europe's security requires a stronger and more resilient industrial base. This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step towards combining complementary industrial strengths while preserving the technological leadership, design authority, and quality standards that define TKMS," Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, said.
"By combining our strengths, we will reinforce Europe’s industrial base and sovereignty in the defense sector, thereby contributing to greater strategic autonomy for Europe.”
“Navantia and TKMS are making concrete progress to foster Europe’s strategic autonomy, working in the creation of a robust and scalable industrial defense base, capable of responding to a sustained growth of global demand in design, building and sustainment of submarines. This MoU highlights Navantia’s capacities in the submarine domain, reinforces our presence in this market and is a testament to our role in European defense," Ricardo Domínguez, Executive Chairman of Navantia, stated.
"This new MoU marks progress towards a collaboration model with the purpose of enhancing delivery competitiveness and establishing a long-term technological partnership to supply cutting-edge defense products. It builds upon the strengths of Navantia and TKMS while ensuring that each company retains its own technologies and design authority on their respective programmes and contracts," Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Navantia Chief Operating Officer, commented.
To remind, in April this year, TKMS signed the first MoU with Navantia to explore strategic cooperation on naval projects in Europe, NATO, and worldwide.