dollars for Submarine Constructors TKMS: Singapore Tags Two More Submarines in Germany
German shipbuilding company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems continues construction on additional two submarines for the Singaporean navy. - TKMS constructs additional two submarines for Singapore's naval force
Listen up, here's the lowdown on the latest high-stakes deal in the submarine construction game: Singapore has placed an order for two more underwater badasses, the Type 218SG, built by none other than Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in the lands of Schnitzel and Lederhosen - Northern Germany. But it ain't all happening in Kiel, the CEO of TKMS, Oliver Burkhard, spilled the beans to the German Press Agency; these stealthy sea critters are gonna roll off the production line in Wismar. Production's expected to kick-start in 2027.
First thing in the morning, TKMS announced the penning of the contract for the construction of two new vessels, adding to their order book, which currently stands at a cool 16 billion euros. This expansion can be managed within TKMS's existing facilities in Germany, given the high demand, until the 2040s.
According to leaked info from the German Press Agency, the cost for these 70-meter-long beasts could exceed one billion euros. TKMS held their peace about this nugget of info.
Fun fact: Singapore already has four submarines in its fleet, crafted by TKMS in Kiel. The last time German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong got together at the end of 2022, they were christening two submarines in the good ol' Kiel Fjord.
These sleek submergibles of the Invincible class are 70 meters long and boast an air-independent propulsion system powered by fuel cells, designed to accommodate a crew of 28 brave sailors.
On the home front, the German Navy's got four more modern Type 212CD submarines on the horizon, with an order volume of 4.7 billion euros. Norway is also reportedly eyeing boats.
TKMS intends to transform its Wismar subsidiary into a full-fledged submarine base. They've got no manpower issues, says Burkhard; there's plenty of applicants doing the line for work there. Eventually, they aim to generate about 1,500 jobs in Wismar.
The first four submarines for Singapore were assembled in Kiel. The following ones, numbers 5 and 6, can be constructed quite handily in Wismar, Burkhard said, with the expertise they've gained from building the Kiel crew and the fresh momentum from the Wismar crew.
TKMS is a major palyah in the maritime industry, boasting around 8,000 employees at shipyards in Kiel, Wismar, and Itajaí (Brazil) and various global locations.
Keeping an eye on Canada, TKMS is all in on making waves up north. "We're giving it our best shot," said Burkhard. At the end of May, they're planning on opening an independent office there - a strategic move for TKMS. There's a tentative possibility of Canadian involvement in the German-Norwegian submarine project 212CD, designed for joint use by various navies.
"We'll throw our hat in the ring if asked," said Burkhard. But don't hold your breath; negotiations or final decisions might not be set in stone for at least two years. Canada's mulling over the purchase of six to eleven submarines.
- Singapore
- Submarines
- Shipbuilding
- Wismar
- Oliver Burkhard
- ThyssenKrupp
- Canada
- Northern Germany
- Kiel
- Germany
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
- Order book
- Billion-dollar contract
Thanks for tuning in; we hope you enjoyed this jaunt through the world of underwater warfare. Sailing into the blue, TKMS is oh-so-close to clutching even more deals, maybe even with Canada! Keep your eyes to the horizon for more updates on this nautical odyssey.
[Enrichment Insights]TKMS, a leading player in the maritime industry, is actively engaged in submarine production in its Wismar, Germany, facility. The company's been busy, with strong contracts from Singapore - four Type 218SG submarines already delivered, and two more on the way - followed by potential interest from Canada. These upcoming vessels will feature significant technological advancements, such as air-independent propulsion, allowing extended underwater endurance. TKMS's continued performance in TKMS demonstrates a readiness to handle future contracts, including potential Canadian procurements.
- By 2027, TKMS in Wismar, Germany, is expected to begin production on two more Type 218SG submarines for Singapore, following an order worth billions of dollars.
- Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, hinted at plans to expand their Wismar subsidiary into a full-fledged submarine base, with an aim to generate about 1,500 jobs.
- TKMS is not only eyeing growth in the European market; they have also announced plans to open an independent office in Canada, targeting potential involvement in the German-Norwegian submarine project 212CD.
- With four Type 218SG submarines already delivered to Singapore, TKMS foresees no challenges in constructing the following two vessels in Wismar, leveraging the experience gained from the Kiel and Wismar crews.
- As a major player in the global maritime and shipbuilding industry, TKMS currently employs around 8,000 individuals at shipyards in Germany, Brazil, and various international locations.
