VEM Technologies Ties Up With TKMS To Manufacture SeaHake mod4 Torpedoes Under Make in India

IgMp Bulletin

India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem received a major boost on March 10, 2026, when Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) finalized a formal teaming agreement to produce advanced heavyweight torpedoes in India. The agreement marks a shift from earlier cooperation discussions to a production-focused partnership and is expected to support the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet while also positioning India as a potential export hub for underwater weapons.

Under the partnership, VEM Technologies will establish production capabilities in Hyderabad to manufacture the SeaHake mod4 heavyweight torpedo, widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated underwater weapons currently in service. Industry sources indicate that the planned facility could reach an annual production capacity of around 500 torpedoes, a scale that goes far beyond India’s immediate domestic needs. Such output suggests that the long-term objective is not only to supply the Indian Navy but also to develop an export-ready manufacturing ecosystem under the “Make in India” initiative.

The SeaHake mod4—also known in defence circles as the DM2A4—is designed for modern submarine warfare and incorporates advanced guidance and propulsion systems that enable high accuracy in complex underwater environments. Its extended-range variants are reported to reach distances of up to 140 kilometres, providing submarines with significant stand-off engagement capability against both surface ships and hostile submarines.

Beyond the technological specifications, the project carries strong strategic significance for the Indian Navy. The torpedoes are expected to address a long-standing capability gap in India’s Kalvari-class submarines, the fleet derived from the French Scorpene design. Although these submarines represent one of the Navy’s most advanced underwater platforms, their operational effectiveness has been constrained by the lack of a modern dedicated heavyweight torpedo system. For years, they relied largely on older SUT torpedoes originally developed decades ago.

Integrating the SeaHake mod4 into India’s submarine arsenal could significantly enhance the Navy’s underwater combat capabilities. The torpedo uses fiber-optic wire guidance that allows real-time communication between the submarine and the weapon during its run, enabling operators to update targeting data mid-course. Combined with advanced sonar arrays and digital signal processing, the system is designed to track even highly maneuverable targets in contested waters.

A key element of the VEM-TKMS agreement is the depth of technology transfer involved. The transfer will be facilitated by ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, a leading underwater defence technology firm operating under the TKMS group. Unlike many traditional defence procurement deals that limit access to core technology, this partnership includes the transfer of software licenses and intellectual property necessary to manufacture and integrate the torpedoes in India.

Such access to intellectual property is critical for India’s long-term defence industrial strategy. Local production combined with licensed software and systems integration capabilities allows Indian engineers and manufacturers to gain deeper operational knowledge, enabling future upgrades, modifications, and potentially the development of indigenous torpedo variants.

The teaming agreement is also widely seen as a precursor to a more structured industrial partnership. According to industry officials, both companies are exploring the creation of a formal joint venture in the medium term. This joint venture would likely oversee large-scale production, maintenance, and potential exports, creating a dedicated ecosystem around underwater weapons manufacturing in India.

The strategic implications extend beyond current naval requirements. Analysts note that the partnership could play a role in upcoming submarine programmes, including the long-anticipated Project-75(I), which aims to introduce next-generation conventional submarines with advanced propulsion and combat systems. Participation in such programmes would further expand the scope of cooperation between Indian industry and global defence technology providers.

At a broader level, the VEM-TKMS partnership illustrates how India’s defence sector is gradually transitioning from import-based procurement to collaborative manufacturing models. Instead of purchasing complete weapon systems from overseas suppliers, India is increasingly encouraging joint development, technology transfer, and domestic production.

For the Indian Navy, the benefits are both operational and logistical. Local manufacturing reduces dependency on foreign supply chains, ensures quicker replenishment of critical munitions, and strengthens maintenance infrastructure within the country. For the domestic defence industry, it opens opportunities to enter complex high-technology segments such as underwater warfare systems—an area traditionally dominated by a small number of global manufacturers.

If the production targets materialize as planned, the Hyderabad facility could eventually become one of the largest torpedo manufacturing centres in the region. Combined with India’s expanding naval modernization efforts and growing maritime security responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific, the project signals a significant step toward building a self-reliant underwater combat capability while integrating Indian industry more deeply into the global defence supply chain.

[Source: The Times of India]