• Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines (IDAS) revolutionises maritime security

• thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence develop unique defence systems for submarines

At the end of last year, the Procurement Office of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BAAINBw) signed the contract for the development and qualification of a guided missile system for the active self-defence of submarines.

The ‘Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines’ (IDAS) system is being developed in close cooperation between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence. Both companies are combining their expertise in the IDAS Consortium to develop a guided missile that can specifically engage air threats from a submerged submarine. This globally unique technology will be available to customers of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence and will revolutionise the protection of submarines and their crews.

‘We are delighted that this innovation project can now also be launched. At thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, we are contributing to a completely new capability in the field of submarine self-defence, while at the same time strengthening the safety of people and materials in challenging future deployment scenarios,’ says Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

IDAS sets new standards in maritime security. By combining an advanced guided missile and a new ejection unit, submarine crews will in future be able to defend themselves against attacks and detection attempts from the air.

The IDAS project, which has now been commissioned, ‘Development and qualification of a guided missile unit consisting of a guided missile and ejection device for active self-defence of submarines against attacks from the air’ takes submarine defence to a new level.

• German government orders four more submarines of the Type 212CD for the Bundeswehr

• Good prospects for another two option boats from Norway

Yesterday, the German Bundestag and the Federal Government voted by a majority in favour of the procurement of the option boats in the German-Norwegian submarine program. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is thus receiving with this comprehensive order expansion in the current 212CD program one of the largest orders in the recent history of the company. The President of the Bundeswehr Procurement Agency, Annette Lehnigk-Emden, and CEO Oliver Burkhard officially signed the contract in Koblenz on the basis of the parliamentary approval. An order of this size will involve advance payments that will have a positive impact on cash flow in the current financial year and will be used accordingly for the milestones of the order.

Norway has also already signalled its intention to increase the number of submarines on order. Oliver Burkhard emphasized the importance of the German contract extension: “The turning point in history is finally arriving in the maritime sector. We are delighted at the trust that the German government has once again placed in us with the additional order for the world’s most modern conventional submarine. We are making a decisive contribution to the changing times and strengthening the defence capabilities with this strategically important project between Germany and Norway.”

As a new generation, the Type 212CD submarines go far beyond the current 212A boats. With advanced capabilities for situational awareness, enhanced networking with allied units and a reduced signature, the new submarines not only place increased demands on production due to their size, but also require state-of-the-art production lines for the outfitting with high-tech systems. Furthermore, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is ensuring synergies for the operation, logistics and international maintenance of the 212CD submarines, which was also underlined by the laying of the foundation stone for new service yard capacities in Norway. In this way, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is also helping to consolidate its partnership with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA), which has existed since 2017, and to expand its industrial partnerships in Norway and Germany.

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has made several advance investments for this production line in particular. For example, more than € 250 million has been invested in the Kiel location alone since 2019 to create further production capacities for the German-Norwegian submarine program with the construction of a new shipbuilding hall. Moreover, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems acquired additional shipyard capacity at the former MV WERFTEN site in Wismar, in order to be able to build submarines and surface vessels there at the same time. The expansion of orders contributes directly to strengthening and creating jobs in Wismar. “We are leading the way as an industry. With our locations, capacities and expertise, we are excellently positioned as an autonomous and independent maritime powerhouse. Our order books are well filled. We are strongly positioned in the national and international competition,” Oliver Burkhard continued.

In addition to this major order, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems also underpinned its reliability and presence in the market with positive figures for the past financial year, the most successful year in the company’s history. A look at the current projects makes it clear that the ongoing production of the existing 212CD submarines for Germany and Norway is on schedule. The delivery of a MEKO® A-200 frigate to Egypt, the naming of the submarine “Inimitable” for Singapore, the naming of the first Tamandaré frigate and the keel-laying ofthe second ship of this class at the shipyard in Brazil further underline the successes of the past financial year.

Oliver Burkhard: “With the expansion of the 212CD order, other countries could join this project in the near future. Our strong position has now become even stronger. We are well on the way to achieving our goal of independence.”

• Sales (€ 2.1 billion), adj. EBIT (€ 125 million) and order intake (€ 1.5 billion) significantly higher than prior year

• Extensive order expansions

• Strong new orders in naval electronics

In the current financial year 2023/2024, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems was able to continue the positive development of the previous year, despite the challenging market environment. Sales totalled € 2.1 billion (previous year: € 1.8 billion). The decisive factor here was the final invoice for delivery of a submarine to a customer in Asia during the 4th quarter. Over and above that, the Services and Naval Electronics units made appreciable gains.

Order intake increased to € 1.5 billion (previous year: € 1.0 billion). Although no orders for newbuilding projects were booked, there were extensive order expansions and, in particular, strong order intake in the Naval Electronics segment. At the end of the business year, the orders on hand amounted to € 11.7 billion.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, declared: “We can once again look back at a positive development over the past fiscal year. The large number of order extensions, which underline the trust of our customers in our innovative strength and quality, is particularly pleasing. As a maritime powerhouse, we want to defend our strong position in international competition. With an independent placement, which we are continuing to pursue intensively, we can best exploit the growth opportunities that present themselves.”

Adjusted EBIT reached € 125 million (previous year: € 73 million), thus presenting a significant increase compared to the prior period. This positive development is primarily a result of the final invoice mentioned above, together with the progress made with the projects in the newbuilding business, as well as the solid development in the Services and Naval electronics segments. In addition, efficiency gains were achieved in the areas of material management, personnel and administration.

Paul Glaser, CFO thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, commented: “These figures show that we have made very good progress in transforming our company, despite the difficult environment. This represents a most positive start to the new business year and an incentive to do even better. We will not rest on our laurels in the future and will continue to work hard at boosting the performance of our operations.”

Besides the strong position in the surface sector, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is the world market leader in the construction of conventional submarines: Production of the 212CD submarines for Germany and Norway – the largest order in the company’s history – is on schedule. Discussions are underway on possible option boats. The delivery of a MEKO® A200 frigate to Egypt, the naming of the submarine “Inimitable” for Singapore, the naming of the first Tamandaré frigate and the keel-laying of the second ships of this Class at the shipyard in Brazil all underscore the successes of the past business year.

To meet the steadily growing demands, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will advance its position as a maritime powerhouse and push ahead with integrated system solutions over the coming months. With this in mind, thyssenkrupp AG will continue to intensively pursue the path of independence for the naval segment on the capital market, while also remaining open to industrial partnerships. At the same time, negotiations are underway with the Federal Government and KfW Bank regarding the state’s participation in thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

About thyssenkrupp Marine Systems
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is one of the world’s leading naval companies with over 8,000 employees at three shipyards in Kiel, Wismar and Itajaí (Brazil) with locations worldwide. The company is active as a systems supplier for submarines and naval surface vessels as well as for maritime electronics and security technologies. Around 3,300 people work at the Kiel site, making it the largest shipyard location in Germany. 185 years of history and the constant striving for improvement allow the company to set new standards time and time again. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems offers its customers worldwide tailored solutions to meet the highly complex challenges of a changing world. The driving forces behind this innovative energy are the company’s employees, who shape the future of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems with passion and commitment every day.