- TKMS and 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.
- The partnership will combine complementary industrial capabilities to enhance capacity, innovation and long-term competitiveness for customers worldwide while leaving existing projects and contracts unchanged.
Madrid/Kiel, July 24, 2026 – TKMS AG & Co. KGaA (TKMS) and Navantia S.A., SME (Navantia) have signed a second Memorandum of Understanding, marking further progress in the strategic partnership launched earlier this year. Building on the strong momentum of their initial agreement, both companies are committed to work towards establishing a joint collaboration framework for the production and commercialisation of selected submarine projects.
The constructive discussions over the last three months led to a common focus on clearly defined areas where the complementary expertise of TKMS and Navantia create additional value for customers. By combining the respective strengths, both companies aim to expand industrial capacity available to the market, enhance delivery timelines and performance to foster long-term technological partnership and increase customer supply capabilities in the international markets. The objective is to establish the joint collaboration framework by the end of the year, subject to the completion of all applicable regulatory processes.
The envisaged partnership is designed exclusively for future opportunities and does not include any merger or acquisition of shares or assets. Existing contracts, programmes and projects of both companies remain fully independent and unaffected. At the same time, customers will benefit from a broader industrial base of combined complementary capabilities, increased flexibility and enhanced technological leadership that will further strengthen the competitiveness of TKMS and Navantia.
This industrial cooperation will be developed in full compliance with applicable competition law, export-control regulations and all relevant regulatory requirements. Cooperation will be tailored to specific customer requirements and implemented only with the appropriate customer approvals.
By joining forces, TKMS and Navantia are strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base and sovereignty, contributing to greater European strategic autonomy. The partnership brings together two leading naval companies with complementary capabilities, strengthening Europe’s ability to deliver cutting-edge submarine solutions for allies and partner navies around the world, all this in appropriate time lines responding to the geo-political challenges.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, says: “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. 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.”
Dr. Andreas Görgen, COO of TKMS: “Today’s MoU reflects the excellent progress of our discussions and the strong commitment of both partners to create a new model combining the strengths of TKMS and Navantia in selected areas, expanding opportunities for both companies and providing our customers with greater industrial capacity, technological excellence and enhanced delivery performance. At the same time, both partners will continue to operate independently and remain fully committed to their existing programmes and customers.”
Ricardo Domínguez, Executive Chairman of Navantia: “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.”
Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Navantia Chief Operating Officer, adds: “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.”
About TKMS
TKMS is one of the world’s leading naval companies with more than 9,700 employees (including temporary workers) at three shipyards in Kiel, Wismar and Itajaí (Brazil), and with locations worldwide. The company is active as a systems supplier for submarines and naval surface vessels as well as for maritime electronics and security technologies. Around 3,700 employees work at the Kiel site, making it the largest shipyard location in Germany. 185 years of history and the constant striving for improvement allow the company to set new standards time and time again. TKMS offers its customers worldwide tailored solutions to meet the highly complex challenges of a changing world. The driving forces behind this innovative energy are the company’s employees, who shape the future of TKMS with passion and commitment every day.
About Navantia
With a history of more than 300 years building ships for the Spanish Navy, Navantia is a state-owned strategic defense and technology company. Its areas of specialization range from shipbuilding (surface and submarine), to the design and integration of state-of-the art systems, life cycle support and smart services. Additionally, through its brand Navantia Seanergies, it is a global supplier for the development of offshore wind energy and other green energies such as hydrogen. Navantia employs nearly 6,000 people directly in Spain, mainly at its offices in Ferrol and Fene (A Coruña), Puerto, Real, San Fernando, Cádiz and Rota (Cádiz), Cartagena (Murcia Region) and Madrid and has subsidiaries in Australia, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom. It is owned 100% by the Sociedad Española de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI), attached to the Spanish Ministry of Finance.
More information at: www.navantia.es
