STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN THE OPEN SEA
How ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems became a key supplier of submarines and ships to the Israel navy, driving innovation in defense, offset procurement and startup collaboration
The Hamas war which erupted on October 7, 2023, has reshaped the thinking of Israel's defense establishment as well as that of its strategic allies abroad. Critically, it has underscored a new reality: the pressing need to bolster Israel's defense independence.
Integral to this is reinforcing the country's navy. Since the war's earliest days, the Israel Navy has been on high alert, neutralizing maritime threats near and far. Central to its operations are the warships and submarines provided by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH, a vital and trusted partner to Israel's defense infrastructure.
Developing advanced maritime solutions
A leading shipyard in northwest Germany, ThyssenKrupp is a division of the global German ThyssenKrupp conglomerate and one of the world's leading shipbuilders. For decades, it has worked closely with Israel's Defense and Economy Ministries, the IDF and the country's broader defense industry."
"I take immense pride in this," says Idoh Ophir, ThyssenKrupp-Israel's CEO for the past seven years. "The Navy is close to my heart. One of my primary responsibilities as head of the company's operations in Israel is ensuring delivery of the critical, top-quality platforms essential for the nation's security."
Immediately following October 7, the shipyard's CEO in Germany called Ophir, he relates, and asked him to convey the company's full support to Israel's Defense Ministry and its Navy. "They see Israel's defense establishment not only as a client but also as strategic partner," he says.
ThyssenKrupp's role in developing advanced solutions for operations above and below the sea goes far beyond hardware. It actively supports Israeli innovation and defense-tech startups. Its core capabilities include marine engineering, automation systems and smart infrastructure, with strong emphasis on sustainability and cutting-edge R&D throughout its production and development processes.
"We cooperate closely with Israel's defense establishment," says Ophir. "From supplying submarines on order to delivering the full fleet of Sa'ar 6 corvettes, we've built a strong operational relationship. We also work closely with Israel's Ministry of Economy & Industry on offset procurement, engaging directly and indirectly with dozens of Israeli firms, ranging from major defense players to small and medium businesses.
What characterizes ThyssenKrupp's relationship with Israel's defense establishment?
"The shipyard supplies Israel with its most sophisticated and expensive combat platform — the submarine," says Ophir. "As a strategic asset, this can't be openly discussed in detail, but those involved understand its importance. There's deep mutual respect between us: the shipyard recognizes the Navy's operational expertise and its world-class submarine command, while Israel values ThyssenKrupp's engineering and production capabilities."
According to foreign reports, Israel currently operates a fleet of six submarines, five active and one pending delivery. In January 2022, a contract was signed with ThyssenKrupp for purchase of next-generation Dakar-class submarines, designed according to the Israel Navy's operational experience and specific requirements. These new vessels will form the backbone of Israel's undersea strategic readiness.
Beyond submarines, Ophir describes the Sa'ar 6 project as "a textbook example of German-Israeli industrial collaboration. These ships were delivered in record time, and within months, the Navy, local defense industries, had them operational.
Over the past year and a half, the contribution of these ships to combat efforts has been evident in their interception of threats, support of operations and covert missions. "In every meeting with the Ministry of Defense and the Navy, their performance is a point of pride," says Ophir. "The advantage they bring to the Navy and the IDF is clear and substantial."
Shadow world of submarines
Recent global conflicts, foremost among them the Russia-Ukraine war, have dramatically reshaped naval doctrine. As Ophir explains, the scale and intensity of naval operations in Europe have highlighted crucial areas, such as naval mine warfare and submarine deterrence.
"There's increasing need for advanced mine-detection and clearance solutions," he notes, "along with growing interest in unmanned maritime systems. While aerial drones have been used for years, unmanned systems at sea are only now starting to integrate. We're increasingly seeing use of aerial drones over the water and underwater vehicles for intelligence and offensive purposes. As part of our cooperation with Israeli industry, we've partnered with IAI/Elta in developing an unmanned submarine called Kisaron, which incorporates sonar capable of detecting other subs. This collaboration has generated significant interest from several countries around the world."
How has the Russia-Ukraine conflict changed submarine strategy?
"That conflict reaffirmed submarines as a strategic weapon for long-range strikes, covert intelligence gathering and anonymous precision attacks," says Ophir. "Their deterrent value is unparalleled."
Global events have underscored the need for advanced submarine fleets. In late 2024, ThyssenKrupp signed contracts for six submarines with Germany and Norway, in addition to six ordered in 2021. Last week, it reached agreement with Singapore to supply two submarines. With several other interested countries, the shipyard's future order backlog stands at €16 billion, and its current focus is on growth and increasing production capacity to deliver these submarines as quickly as possible.
Maintaining Israel's maritime reach
Ophir highlights ThyssenKrupp's role in Israel's ability to maintain open sea lanes in increasingly hostile waters. "A main objective of Israel's Navy is ensuring freedom of navigation," he says. "In the current geopolitical climate, we're seeing maritime disruptions as far as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Houthi forces are attacking commercial ships, especially those linked to Israel or Western countries, under Iranian guidance and in support of Hamas. The tools we provide help Israel counter these threats and safeguard shipping routes. This isn't just a defense issue, it's also economic. Maritime trade is the lifeline of a modern economy."
Israel's innovation anchor
Another major aspect of ThyssenKrupp's presence in Israel is its role in transferring knowledge and fostering homegrown innovation. "We're deeply committed to strengthening Israel's technological independence," says Ophir. "This includes creating high-quality jobs and enabling local development in critical fields."
One flagship initiative is the ThyssenKrupp Innovation Center, opened two years ago in Tel Aviv in partnership with IMPACT LABS. It focuses on 3D metal printing, a field in which ThyssenKrupp has significant global expertise.
"The project began five years ago with a clear need: Israel lacked hands-on knowledge in this area," recounts Ophir. "We transferred critical knowhow and supplied advanced printers and tools to enable local production. Today, the Innovation Center works closely with the Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT), supporting experimental projects, practical printing, hosting workshops and expanding industry knowledge. It's a unique collaboration between an international corporation and an Israeli startup."
The 3D printing capability has practical applications too. "The Navy can now print discontinued parts on demand, replacing the need for large physical inventories with digital stockpiles," says Ophir. "It's a powerful step toward agile, local production."
In collaboration with ThyssenKrupp-Israel
