HYDERABAD: A city-based defence firm, VEM Technologies Private Ltd, Tuesday signed a teaming agreement with German naval systems major ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) under which about 500 torpedoes will be produced annually for the Indian Navy.
A teaming agreement is a type of subcontracting where usually a smaller business ties up with a larger one for some of the work.
The agreement also entails transfer of torpedo technology under the govt's Make-in-India initiative. VEM specialises in the design, development and manufacture of weapon and air-based systems.
Michael Ozegowski, executive vice-president of Atlas Elektronik, a subsidiary of TKMS, said, "The transfer of our torpedo technology enables VEM to make a decisive contribution to strengthening the Indian Navy and to India's technological independence."
The teaming agreement follows an MoU signed by the two companies in Sept 2025.
The project will focus on producing heavyweight torpedoes for the existing submarine fleet of the Indian Navy. They will be manufactured in Hyderabad, with VEM responsible for procurement of raw material, fabrication, manufacturing and final assembly. Atlas Elektronik will transfer torpedo technology along with the required software licences to facilitate production.
Representatives from VEM said the partnership will enable the company to participate in the production chain of advanced naval weapon systems. The latest pact formalises the next phase of cooperation in torpedo development and production programmes.
In the medium term, the collaboration is expected to lead to the formation of a joint venture between TKMS and VEM. The proposed venture will focus on supplying heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian market and may also explore export opportunities in the future.
Officials from both companies attended the signing ceremony, including senior executives of VEM Technologies and representatives from TKMS and Atlas Elektronik.
TKMS, a global naval systems company employing over 9,000 people, operates major shipyards in Germany and Brazil and specialises in submarines, naval surface vessels, maritime electronics and security technologies.
Sudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times...
Read MoreSudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times of India, Hyderabad. Following the trail of migration and drought across the rustic landscape of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sudhakar reported extensively on government apathy, divisive politics, systemic gender discrimination, agrarian crisis and the will to survive great odds. His curiosity for peeking behind the curtain triumphed over the criminal agenda of many scamsters in the highest political and corporate circles, making way for breaking stories such as Panama Papers Scam, Telgi Stamp Paper Scam, and many others. His versatility in reporting extended to red corridors of left-wing extremism where the lives of security forces and the locals in Maoist-affected areas were key points of investigation. His knack for detail provided crucial evidence of involvement from overseas in terrorist bombings in Hyderabad.
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