German submarine builder TKMS and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia have signed a second memorandum of understanding to deepen their partnership on future submarine programs.
The agreement advances talks launched earlier this year toward establishing a joint framework for producing and marketing selected submarine projects.
The companies said they aim to finalize the framework before the end of 2026, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Their partnership focuses on combining each company’s expertise to expand industrial capacity, improve delivery timelines, and strengthen competitiveness in the international submarine market.
Customers would benefit from a broader industrial base, increased manufacturing flexibility, and complementary technologies, the companies said.
TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard said the deal would reinforce Europe’s industrial base and sovereignty in the defense sector which could lead to greater strategic autonomy for the region.
“Europe’s security requires a stronger and more resilient industrial base,” he said.
The collaboration, however, applies only to opportunities moving forward and will not affect existing contracts, programs, or submarine projects.
Expanding Submarine Partnerships
The agreement follows a broader trend of collaboration among European naval companies as governments seek to strengthen regional submarine production and industrial capacity.
In July, Indonesia’s PT PAL and France’s Naval Group began constructing the Indonesian Navy’s first two Evolved Scorpène-class submarines, with Indonesian engineers trained in France to support future domestic production.
In May, Saab and Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa agreed to expand cooperation on submarines, underwater systems, and naval sustainment, while exploring joint work on autonomous underwater vehicles and heavyweight torpedoes.
Earlier, in April, Spain’s Navantia and Germany’s thyssenkrupp Marine Systems also agreed to pursue submarine projects together, pairing TKMS’ designs with construction at Navantia’s Spanish shipyards for European, NATO, and export customers.
