thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a naval shipbuilding company, signed a teaming agreement with VEM Technologies Private Limited in Hyderabad on 10 March 2026 to cooperate on the transfer of torpedo technology and the joint development of a heavyweight torpedo for India.
According to a press release issued by TKMS, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation aimed at producing heavyweight torpedoes for the existing submarine fleet of the Indian Navy. The arrangement represents the next phase of collaboration between the two companies following a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025.
“With this Teaming Agreement, we are completing the next important milestone in our strategic partnership with VEM and underlining our commitment to the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. The transfer of our torpedo technology enables VEM to make a decisive contribution to strengthening the Indian Navy and to India’s technological independence,” said Michael Ozegowski, Executive Vice President of the ATLAS ELEKTRONIK segment.
The teaming agreement provides the basis for transferring torpedo technology from TKMS to VEM Technologies, enabling production activities to take place in India. The project is intended to support local manufacturing capability and expand participation of Indian industry in defence production.
In the initial stage, the cooperation will focus on developing and producing a heavyweight torpedo intended for integration with submarines currently operated by the Indian Navy. The companies also indicated that the collaboration could extend to additional torpedo programmes in the future.
In the medium term, the partners plan to establish a joint venture between TKMS and VEM Technologies to supply heavyweight torpedoes to the Indian market. The proposed entity is expected to support long-term production and could also pursue export opportunities. ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, a segment of TKMS, will provide the required technology transfer and software licences to enable manufacturing at facilities operated by VEM Technologies in India.
VEM Technologies Private Limited, based in Hyderabad, designs, develops and manufactures weapon systems and air-based systems for defence applications.
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems operates shipyards in Kiel and Wismar in Germany and in Itajaí in Brazil and employs more than 9,100 people including temporary workers. The company supplies submarines, naval surface vessels, and maritime electronics and security technologies, with around 3,300 employees located at its Kiel site.
