Navantia vs ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems: The European Submarine Export Competition
Two European shipbuilders dominate the global conventional submarine export market: Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) with its Type 212/214 family, and Spain’s Navantia with the S-80 Plus. Their competition in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America shapes the future of non-nuclear submarine proliferation.
TKMS has delivered submarines to 14 navies and dominates the AIP-equipped export submarine segment. Navantia’s S-80 Plus, still completing its first-of-class build, aims to compete on price and platform capability. Both platforms use AIP technology for extended submerged endurance, but differ significantly in design philosophy and export track record.
