ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has dismissed speculation about the formation of a joint venture or merger with French shipyards group DCNS of the two companies.
Earlier this week several media outlets had reported that the two companies were planning to hold talks on a possible tie-up. However, in a statement, ThyssenKrupp said it is not planning a joint venture, a merger or other partnership or alliance with DCNS. No talks are currently being held between the companies and no talks are planned.
Despite repeated attempts to form an alliance between the German and French shipyards in the past, ThyssenKrupp said that it currently sees no prospect of a merger or closer alliance either in the submarine area or in naval surface vessels. However, the company stressed that this would not affect the naval technology collaboration between Atlas Elektronik – a joint venture of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and EADS – and DCNS in the development and delivery of torpedoes.
