German shipbuilder TKMS has signed a 10-year contract valued at more than €800m ($937m) for the modernisation of the German Navy’s six Type 212A submarines.
The upgrade and support services aim to maintain technological superiority of the German submarines within national defence and allied military operations.
The contract was signed with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).
The scope of work includes upgrading critical onboard systems, notably the navigation and command and weapons control systems on the initial four vessels from the first batch.
TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard said: “This important service contract also strengthens our established and trusting cooperation with the German Navy in the area of maintenance.
“As a maritime powerhouse, we will utilise the full range of services offered by TKMS and contribute to the high operational availability and performance of the German submarine fleet with our many years of expertise.”
The German Navy's six Type 212A submarines incorporate air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
These compact diesel-electric vessels are equipped with substantial sensor arrays, communication equipment, weapon control systems, and an array of armaments.
TKMS has been delivering an all-encompassing suite of logistic support services ranging from routine maintenance and repair to comprehensive modernisation and tailored material logistics for German submarine fleet.
Recent contracts awarded in the underwater domain include orders for an additional four 212CD submarines destined for Germany and two more 218SG submarines for Singapore.
In April 2024 TKMS and Singapore launched the nation’s fourth submarine, named Inimitable.
As reported in May 2025, TKMS's backlog of orders reached €18bn, which is projected to secure production capacity and jobs well into the 2040s.
The newly finalised service contract is set to further bolster this order volume, contributing to an overall optimistic outlook for the market.
Also in 2024, the German Bundestag and Federal Government authorised the purchase of extra Type 212CD submarines, expanding the German-Norwegian submarine collaboration with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
