At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems appointed Angelika Kambeck as the successor to Bernd Hartmann as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Labor Director of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Angelika Kambeck will take up her position on June 1, 2025. She will then assume HR responsibility for more than 8,000 highly qualified employees worldwide.

As an experienced HR manager with extensive expertise gained from positions of responsibility in three DAX- and MDAX-listed companies, including Volkswagen AG, E.ON, and Klöckner & Co SE, Angelika Kambeck will play a key role in shaping the growth strategy of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. She will bring her in-depth experience in areas such as strategic organizational development, people empowerment, cultural change, new work, and digital transformation to bear in this role.

In her last position, Angelika Kambeck worked as an independent HR advisor, consultant, and coach.

CEO Oliver Burkhard emphasizes: “We are delighted to have Angelika Kambeck, a highly qualified expert, join us as Chief Human Resources Officer. I am convinced that her extensive and long-standing experience in organizational and human resources development will be an asset to the leadership team of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. With her skill set and expertise, Mrs. Kambeck will play an important role in our future growth.”

Angelika Kambeck on her move from self-employment to a position of responsibility at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: “I am very much looking forward to my new role and to working with the people here at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. In 2022, I made a conscious decision to pass on my experience as a self-employed person. The future direction of the company and Oliver Burkhard and his team fascinated me and convinced me that now is the right time to take this step.”

Angelika Kambeck succeeds Bernd Hartmann, who is taking well-deserved retirement. In his role as CHRO, Bernd Hartmann has played a key role in shaping the development of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems since March 2018. Most recently, he drove forward plans to increase staffing levels at the Wismar site. Prior to joining thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Bernd Hartmann held various management positions within the thyssenkrupp Group, including CHRO of the former business units Resource Technologies and Process Technologies, the main divisions of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG.

CEO Oliver Burkhard adds: “On behalf of the entire management team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bernd Hartmann, who has contributed greatly to the current success of our company over the past seven years in a key position. It is thanks in part to the dedication of his team that we are now one of the most attractive employers in northern Germany. I wish him all the best for the next stage of his life.”

Strategic alliance delivers its proposal for cutting-edge U212 NFS submarines to boost the Philippine Navy’s capabilities, strengthen regional defense, and foster long-term industrial cooperation.

Genoa, April 16, 2025 – Fincantieri and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have signed an Industrial Cooperation Agreement as part of a broader strategic partnership to provide the Philippine’s Navy with advanced submarine capabilities solutions.

As part of the Horizon III military modernization initiative, the Philippine Navy aims to enhance its archipelagic defense by acquiring cutting-edge weapon systems. In particular, the introduction of submarines would be a game-changer in securing territorial waters, especially in the South China Sea.

The collaboration between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Fincantieri brings together their extensive expertise and cutting-edge technologies to deliver the most efficient and competitive solution for the U212 NFS class submarines, which Fincantieri is currently building for the Italian Navy at its shipyards in Italy. The partnership also aims to strengthen local infrastructure and expand the operational capabilities of the Philippine Navy’s fleet.

The cooperation between the Italian and German Navies on the U212A submarines dates back to 1996. Building on their longstanding partnership, Fincantieri and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems extended their cooperation to include potential joint export projects.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, stated: "Building on our successful cooperation within the Italian submarine program, this Industrial Cooperation Agreement provides an excellent foundation for further joint projects in the underwater domain."

The U212 NFS is an evolution of the HDW Class U212A submarine, featuring low acoustic, magnetic, and visual signature characteristics and making it exceptionally stealthy. It meets the highest quality standards and the most stringent rules and requirements, with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems supplying essential key technologies and components.

The Philippine Navy would gain a significant strategic advantage through the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, first introduced on the U212A, and now integrated into the U212 NFS. Additionally, the use of Amanox non-magnetic steel, combined with other key technical features and new stealth technology, makes the U212 NFS virtually undetectable.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, added:
"With decades of experience in submarine construction, Fincantieri has developed a solid expertise in delivering high-performance naval solutions. This cooperation is a key milestone in promoting our international export strategy, leveraging the latest cutting-edge Italian and German technologies and quality."

A distinguishing factor of the U212 NFS offering is the operational support provided by the Italian Navy, ensuring the Philippine Navy benefits from an unparalleled level of training, doctrine, and logistics. The package also includes specialized industrial and operational training, allowing the Philippine Navy to rapidly build a well-structured and highly skilled submarine crew.

Furthermore, as part of the Philippine’s “Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act”, the partnership will support the Philippine Navy in developing a new naval base. This will be achieved by leveraging the design expertise of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Fincantieri, drawing on their decades of shipbuilding experience and long-standing cooperation with navies worldwide.

• Joint efforts to deliver advanced frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy, combining cutting-edge technology from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and local shipbuilding excellence from Ulstein Verft.

At the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) exhibition in Oslo, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and the Norwegian shipyard Ulstein Verft have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI), marking a significant step towards enhanced industrial cooperation between Germany and Norway. The agreement outlines that, in the event of a contract award for the next Norwegian frigate program, substantial value creation will take place in Norway.

The signing, held at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems booth, underscores Team Germany’s commitment to partnering with Norwegian shipbuilders to ensure local expertise and economic benefits. Joachim Wacker, Head of Product Sales & Product Strategy at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Lars Lühr Olsen, Managing Director at Ulstein Verft, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership and the advantages for Norway’s shipbuilding sector.

"Ulstein and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems share a strong tradition of innovation and excellence in shipbuilding. By joining forces, we are combining our expertise to deliver state-of-the-art naval solutions while strengthening Norway’s industrial capabilities. We are excited about the opportunity to build a long-term partnership that benefits both companies and nations," said Lars Lühr Olsen.

"This agreement is a milestone in our commitment to the Norwegian industry. Ulstein is a world-class shipbuilder with deep roots in Norway, and together, we will create advanced and highly capable frigates that meet the needs of the Royal Norwegian Navy. We look forward to a successful cooperation that will extend far beyond this project," said Joachim Wacker.

This collaboration reaffirms thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ dedication to fostering long-term cooperation and supporting Norway’s maritime defense capabilities.