• GhostPlay@SEA creates AI-supported simulation environment for maritime combat scenarios

• Consortium of industry and academia develops novel tactical AI solutions for

  maritime defense

Bremen, May 12, 2025 – thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ marine electronics division ATLAS ELEKTRONIK is taking on the principal role in the GhostPlay@SEA research project as consortium leader in the development of new AI tactics for maritime defense. The company is contributing its extensive expertise in the maritime sector and playing a central part in the development of tactical artificial intelligence (AI) in the maritime defense industry.

GhostPlay@SEA is a project funded by the Bundeswehr technology program dtec.bw, which builds on the results of the original GhostPlay project. GhostPlay created a so-called ‘Defense Metaverse’, a high-performance simulation environment for AI-based combat simulations on land and in the air. This vision is now being expanded to include the maritime dimension. The aim of the project is to explore AI-supported methods in order to develop and evaluate new and proven tactical behavior patterns and decision-making processes for naval warfare. In addition, the transfer of virtually trained tactics to real hardware will be researched and piloted.

Dr Jeronimo Dzaack, Co-Head of Future Tech, explains: “GhostPlay@SEA aims to fundamentally change the way future naval operations are planned and conducted and to further expand the technological leadership of all partners involved. In the virtual environment, highly complex combat situations can be realistically simulated, and optimal tactics can be safely tested.”

By using state-of-the-art AI and simulation technologies, future threat scenarios – from drone swarms to autonomous submarines – can be simulated in advance within a risk-free virtual environment. “This makes it possible to test and optimize tactical concepts at an early stage, even before real systems are deployed. The knowledge gained in this way flows directly into the development of new maritime defense technologies,” continues Dzaack.

The GhostPlay@SEA consortium includes major players from science and industry, the Helmut Schmidt University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, HENSOLDT, 21Strategies, Rheinmetall and Borchert Consulting & Research AG. The project underlines the innovative strength of the German defense industry in the age of digitalization. As a pioneer of such a digital combat training ground, GhostPlay@SEA paves the way for a new era of maritime defense technology and strengthens the future operational capability of the navy through artificial tactical excellence.

• Construction of two additional submarines for the Republic of Singapore

• Record order book for Marine Systems continues to grow

• Order will be fulfilled within existing production capacity in Germany

On May 7, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) signed a contract for the construction of two additional Type 218SG submarines. This order further increases thyssenkrupp Marine Systems' record order book, which currently stands at around €16 billion. The positive market development in the marine sector also continues.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, emphasizes: “The order expansion underscores the generally positive market situation in naval shipbuilding and gives us the opportunity to further expand our very well-filled order book. We are also proud that Singapore has once again placed its trust in us, as our partnership goes far beyond the production of submarines. We feel deeply connected to the country and contribute to the security and defense capabilities of our customer's country with our products.”

Production within existing capacity
According to thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the order extension can be handled within existing capacities in Germany, despite high capacity utilization until the 2040s. In December 2024, the company received major orders worth billions, including four additional Type 212CD submarines for the German Navy, the new Polarstern research icebreaker, and funding for the project launch of the new F127 frigate generation.

Highest technical requirements
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is also focusing on the highest technical requirements for the order extension from Singapore. The design of the Type 218SG submarine is designed to minimize its signature. The air-independent propulsion system also enables the boats to remain underwater for longer periods. Following the “Invincible”, “Impeccable”, “Illustrious”, and “Inimitable”, a total of six submarines will now be built for Singapore.

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.”