The agreement was signed in Singapore on 24 March 2026 during a ministerial visit. It was concluded by Oliver Burkhard, Chief Executive Officer of TKMS, and Tan Leong Peng, President of Marine at ST Engineering.
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing attended the signing. The move builds on an existing partnership between the two companies in submarine support services.
The Republic of Singapore Navy operates TKMS Type 218SG submarines. TKMS currently provides on-site maintenance and service support alongside ST Engineering under an existing through-life support contract.
TKMS has also established TKMS Singapore Pte. Ltd. to support maintenance and service activities locally. The new agreement will explore opportunities for joint overhaul, logistics, modernisation and modification services for submarine operators.
“The collaboration with ST Engineering represents a strong foundation for ensuring the long-term operational readiness of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s submarines as well as those of other navies that operate TKMS submarines,” said Oliver Burkhard. “By combining our expertise with ST Engineering’s shipyard capabilities and service expertise, we are creating a high-performance maintenance and service network in Singapore—for the benefit of the RSN and our international partners.”
The companies said the proposed centre would strengthen long-term support capabilities for submarine fleets. It is also intended to enhance operational readiness through closer cooperation and shared expertise.
Looking ahead, both companies plan to extend their service and maintenance offerings beyond Singapore. These capabilities may also be offered to the German Navy and other international operators of TKMS submarines.
The agreement is expected to reinforce the role of both companies as service providers for modern submarine technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. It also reflects broader efforts to expand international cooperation in naval support and maintenance.
