Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has made significant strides in its collaboration with Indian defense companies, recently finalizing agreements aimed at developing and producing advanced naval weaponry and anti-submarine warfare systems. These partnerships mark an essential step in the German shipbuilder’s engagement in India’s ambitious naval modernization plans.
As part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its maritime capabilities, the agreements align with the government’s “Make in India” initiative, launched in 2014. This program emphasizes self-reliance in defense production, encouraging domestic manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports and positioning India as a key player in the global industrial landscape.
A notable collaboration is a memorandum of understanding with VEM Technologies, a Hyderabad-based firm, focused on the development and upgrade of heavyweight torpedoes within India. This initiative will benefit from the technological expertise of TKMS’s subsidiary, Atlas Elektronik, based in Bremen. Meanwhile, VEM will oversee the local integration and testing phases of the torpedo systems. Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, expressed the company’s commitment, stating, “TKMS stands ready as a reliable partner to the Indian Navy. We are applying our technical expertise to accelerate the Make-in-India strategy and strengthen the local defense industry in the long term.”
Furthermore, TKMS has announced an expansion of its partnership with CFF Fluid Control Limited, a Mumbai-based company specializing in mechanical and electronic weapon systems for naval applications. Together, they will co-develop advanced anti-submarine warfare systems designed for surface vessels, among other defense-related projects.
In addition to these key partnerships, TKMS and its Indian collaborators are exploring further opportunities, particularly in relation to India’s P75(I) submarine program. This initiative aims to deliver six state-of-the-art diesel-electric attack submarines by the 2030s, set to replace the aging Sindhughosh-class submarines currently active in the navy.
The evolving landscape of these partnerships underscores a strategic commitment from both TKMS and the Indian defense sector to bolster maritime security and capability, while fostering domestic manufacturing prowess in the long term.
