TKMS, ST Engineering Sign Sub Maintenance MOU

GERMANY’S TKMS and Singapore’s ST Engineering Marine Arm have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the establishment of a Joint Service and Maintenance Centre for Singapore and international users of TKMS submarines.

This venture strengthens the existing partnership between both companies and aims to ensure the long-term operational readiness of the Invincible-class (Type 218SG) submarines operated by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and other TKMS submarine operators.

Present during the signing ceremony between TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard and ST Engineering President of Marine Tan Leong Peng were the defence ministers of both nations Boris Pistorius and Chan Chun Sing respectively while Pistorius was in Singapore for a visit.

TKMS is among the world’s leading companies in the naval industry and supplier of the RSN’s Invincible-class  submarines and the associated training system. TKMS and TKMS Singapore are currently working together with ST Engineering Marine on a contract for the through-life support of the Invincible– class.

Oliver Burkhard said, “The collaboration with ST Engineering represents a strong foundation for ensuring the long-term operational readiness of the RSN’s submarines as well as those of other navies that operate TKMS submarines. 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.”

TKMS has established the local company TKMS Singapore to support the RSN and ST Engineering in maintenance and service activities. As part of the memorandum of understanding, both companies will explore joint opportunities for overhaul, maintenance, logistical support, modernisations, and modification orders to navies operating TKMS submarines in the future.

With this step, TKMS and ST Engineering are strengthening their positions as reliable service and maintenance partners for modern submarine technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. Looking ahead, both companies intend to offer their service and maintenance capabilities to the German Navy and other international users of TKMS submarines.

The RSN operates two Invincible-class submarines, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable which were commissioned in September 2024, attaining full operational capability while the third submarine is reported to be en route back to Singapore. The final submarine is expected to arrive by 2028. Singapore also decided in May 2025 to purchase two more Invincible-class submarines produced by TKMS, giving the RSN a sub-surface fleet of 6 submarines once the fifth and sixth submarines are delivered from 2034 onwards.

TKMS is also focusing on the highest technical requirements for the order extension from Singapore. The Invincible-class vessels are designed to minimise its signature with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system which enables the boats to remain underwater for longer periods. Furthermore, the RSN also operates two Archer-class submarines, RSS Archer and RSS Swordsman which were transferred from the Swedish Navy. 

In April 2025, TKMS and Italy’s Fincantieri joined forces to offer the Philippine Navy (PN) advanced submarine solutions in the form of the U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine). The Philippines has been keen on procuring at least two submarines to enhance its archipelagic defence and securing its territorial waters, especially in the South China Sea.

Additionally, TKMS is reportedly close to securing a deal with India for six AIP-equipped diesel-electric submarines in the Project 75(I) programme to be built primarily in India by state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) in Mumbai together with TKMS.

Last September, both countries began official contract negotiations for the six state-of-the-art, German-designed submarines based on the German Type-214 design, are expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s underwater capabilities with improved stealth features and extended submerged endurance provided by the AIP technology.  Earlier this month, TKMS signed another cooperation agreement (Teaming Agreement) with Indian defence firm VEM Technologies pecialising in the design, development and manufacture of weapon and air-based systems, following a prior MOU between both parties in September 2025.

In the first step, the Teaming Agreement will form the basis for the production of a heavyweight torpedo for the existing submarine fleet of the Indian Navy. Furthermore, a more in-depth cooperation between TKMS and VEM is also conceivable in future torpedo programmes. 

In the medium term, the joint project is to involve the establishment of a joint venture between VEM and TKMS, which is intended to supply the Indian market long-term with high-quality heavyweight torpedoes and also open up new export opportunities. ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, as a segment of TKMS, will enable VEM to transfer the necessary technology and corresponding software licenses to ensure production in Indian manufacturing facilities.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:TKMS, SG MINDEF)