The planned structure would combine complementary industrial capabilities without integrating the two companies. Its purpose is to increase production capacity, improve delivery performance and broaden supply options for international customers.
The agreement follows three months of discussions on specific areas where TKMS and Navantia see potential for cooperation. The companies also plan to develop long-term technological partnerships linked to individual customer requirements.
The framework will apply only to future opportunities and does not include a merger or transfer of shares or assets. Existing contracts, programmes and projects will remain independent and unaffected.
Any cooperation will require customer approval and compliance with competition law and export-control rules. TKMS and Navantia will retain their own technologies, design authority and responsibility for existing programmes.
The companies positioned the initiative as part of efforts to expand Europe’s submarine industrial base and strategic autonomy. They also expect the partnership to improve Europe’s ability to respond to international demand for submarine design, construction and sustainment.
“Europe’s security requires a stronger and more resilient industrial base,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS. “This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step towards combining complementary industrial strengths while preserving the technological leadership, design authority, and quality standards that define TKMS.”
“Today’s MoU reflects the excellent progress of our discussions and the strong commitment of both partners to create a new model combining the strengths of TKMS and Navantia in selected areas, expanding opportunities for both companies and providing our customers with greater industrial capacity, technological excellence and enhanced delivery performance,” said Dr Andreas Görgen, COO of TKMS. “At the same time, both partners will continue to operate independently and remain fully committed to their existing programmes and customers.”
Navantia Executive Chairman Ricardo Domínguez said the partnership was intended to help create a scalable European industrial base capable of responding to sustained global submarine demand. He said the agreement would also strengthen Navantia’s position in the market.
“This new MoU marks progress towards a collaboration model with the purpose of enhancing delivery competitiveness and establishing a long-term technological partnership to supply cutting-edge defense products,” said Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Navantia Chief Operating Officer. “It builds upon the strengths of Navantia and TKMS while ensuring that each company retains its own technologies and design authority on their respective programmes and contracts.”
