TKMS and Skaramangas Shipyards: Strategic Partnership for Mid-Life Upgrade of Hellenic Navy Type 214 Submarines

April 29, 2026

TKMS and Skaramangas Shipyards have entered into a comprehensive and exclusive agreement to jointly execute the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program for the four HDW Class 214 submarines of the Hellenic Navy.

By working directly with TKMS as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the Hellenic Navy ensures full system compatibility, seamless integration of upgraded technologies, and uninterrupted access to critical technical data and spare parts — significantly reducing technical and programmatic risk while safeguarding operational readiness.

The agreement places strong emphasis on local industrial participation. A substantial portion of MLU activities will be carried out domestically, creating highly skilled jobs, enabling advanced technology transfer, and strengthening Greece's sovereign capabilities in naval defense. 

Thomas Keupp, Chief Sales Officer at TKMS: "By combining TKMS's unmatched OEM expertise with powerful local industrial participation, the program ensures that Greece's naval defense capabilities remain robust, future-proof and fully supported."

The planned upgrades are designed to enhance interoperability, enable the integration of advanced combat systems and align the fleet with evolving European defense initiatives and standards. In this context, the program supports long-term strategic planning, including potential future acquisitions of next-generation submarine platforms and the adoption of common systems that enhance operational cohesion across the fleet.

Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, CEO of Skaramangas Shipyards, added: “This collaboration represents a major step forward for the Greek shipbuilding industry and for the country's defense ecosystem, building on the long-standing relationship between TKMS and the Hellenic Navy.”

The partnership is designed to deliver the MLU program while also establishing a sustainable industrial foundation for future maintenance, upgrades, and potential new construction programs.

Source : Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)