Navantia and TKMS sign new submarine technology MoU

Spanish company Navantia and German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance their bilateral strategic partnership in developing new submarine technologies. Building on the first MoU signed in April this year, the companies are working towards establishing a “joint framework for collaboration” for manufacturing and marketing submarines to the international market.

Navantia and TKMS expand their strategic submarine partnership

In April 2026, Navantia and TKMS launched this strategic partnership by signing an MoU focused on industrial cooperation for naval projects across Europe, within NATO and in other international markets. The agreement also provides for TKMS projects to be developed at Spanish shipyard facilities. The business partnership comes at a time of constrained production capacity in Europe, encouraging collaboration to deliver industrial programmes efficiently.

The new Memorandum, signed on 24 July, moves the bilateral alliance forward with the aim of defining a “joint framework for collaboration” before the end of the year. Based on a shared approach in certain areas, Navantia and TKMS would combine their production capabilities to raise industrial output, improve delivery schedules and strengthen their ability to supply industrial programmes to the international market, while also fostering a long-term technology partnership.

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

Navantia opens a Submarine Technology Centre

Alongside the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding, Navantia opened its new Submarine Technology Centre, dedicated to research into cybersecurity, autonomous systems, advanced artificial intelligence and robotics for submarine technologies. This development strengthens the capabilities of Spain’s industrial ecosystem, which is involved in numerous domestic and international naval programmes, including the Spanish Navy’s S-80 conventional submarine programme and the AVANTE 2200 corvettes for the Royal Saudi Navy.