On June 7, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) formalized an agreement with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about the prospective construction of conventional, air-independent-propulsion submarines.
The signing of the MoU signifies establishing potential collaborative ties between ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders as they position themselves to vie for the Indian Navy’s submarine tender. This ceremonious event unfolded in Mumbai, India, graced by Boris Pistorius, the German Minister of Defence.
The agreement underscores the parties’ intention to partner in a joint venture. Within this partnership, TKMS’s role would be to provide the submarines’ engineering, design expertise, and consultancy. In contrast, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders would take on the responsibility for the physical construction and delivery of the subs. This construction initiative would be executed in India, emphasizing leveraging a substantial proportion of local resources.
Reflecting on the company’s longstanding and trust-based relationship with India, Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, stated, “Our partnership with India spans multiple decades. We take immense pride in the vessels constructed in the 1980s that remain operational today. We are eager to extend our contributions towards India’s national security in the coming years and stand ready to respond when India requires our services.”
In the past, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has a track record of constructing and delivering vessels for the Indian Navy. The four HDW Class 209 submarines built in the 1980s testify to the successful collaborative endeavors between India and Germany. ThyssenKrupp Marine System (formerly known as HDW in Kiel) constructed the first two of these submarines, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders built the third and fourth in Mumbai. These submarines were successfully commissioned into the Indian Navy and continue to serve as vital components in the Mumbai-based submarine fleet of the Indian Navy.
