TKMS and Navantia Advance Their Submarine Partnership
Germany’s submarine builder TKMS and Spain’s shipyard Navantia signed a second memorandum of understanding aimed at building a joint collaboration framework in the submarine field by the end of the year.
- Parties: TKMS (Germany) + Navantia (Spain)
- Subject: strategic submarine collaboration
- Stage: second memorandum of understanding (MOU)
- Goal: joint framework by year-end
The development
Two of Europe’s major submarine builders, TKMS and Navantia, signed a second memorandum of understanding to deepen their cooperation. The parties aim to establish a joint collaboration framework by the end of the year.
Germany’s TKMS is known for its widely exported Type 212/214-class submarines, while Spain’s Navantia is known for its S-80-class submarine programme.
Why it matters
Consolidation and joint production in Europe’s defence industry are increasingly prominent for both economies of scale and export competitiveness. A rapprochement between two established shipyards carries the potential to form a European centre of gravity in the conventional submarine market.
The development is still at the MOU stage and does not amount to a binding merger or joint programme; the parties plan to firm up the framework by year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the agreement binding?
No. It is a memorandum of understanding (MOU); the parties aim to build a concrete collaboration framework by year-end.
What are the two firms known for?
TKMS for its Type 212/214-class and Navantia for its S-80-class submarines.
Sources
- Naval News — TKMS and Navantia advance strategic submarine partnership; second MOU, 24 July 2026
