Industry

Submarine Manufacturers - Who Builds Submarines?

From state-owned defense giants that build nuclear-powered warships to boutique firms crafting transparent luxury submersibles - the submarine manufacturing industry is a fascinating mix of military might and civilian innovation.

Military Submarine Builders

General Dynamics Electric Boat

United States - Groton, Connecticut
Nuclear submarines (SSN, SSBN)

The primary submarine builder for the US Navy and the company that built the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus. Electric Boat has delivered over 200 submarines and is currently building the next-generation Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines alongside Virginia-class attack submarines.

Founded

1899

Key Models

Virginia Class (SSN), Columbia Class (SSBN), Ohio Class (SSBN)

Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News

United States - Newport News, Virginia
Nuclear submarines & aircraft carriers

Newport News Shipbuilding partners with Electric Boat to produce Virginia-class submarines. As the only shipyard in the US capable of building nuclear aircraft carriers, Newport News is one of the most critical defense industrial facilities in the world.

Founded

1886

Key Models

Virginia Class (SSN, jointly with EB), Los Angeles Class (SSN)

BAE Systems Submarine Solutions

United Kingdom - Barrow-in-Furness, England
Nuclear submarines (SSN, SSBN)

The sole submarine builder for the Royal Navy. BAE Systems' Barrow-in-Furness shipyard has built every British submarine since 1886. Currently constructing the Dreadnought-class SSBNs that will carry the UK's nuclear deterrent and completing the Astute-class attack submarine program.

Founded

1871 (as Vickers)

Key Models

Astute Class (SSN), Dreadnought Class (SSBN), Vanguard Class (SSBN)

Naval Group (formerly DCNS)

France - Paris, France
Nuclear & conventional submarines

France's premier naval defense company with nearly 400 years of shipbuilding heritage. Naval Group builds nuclear submarines for the French Navy and exports the highly successful Scorpène-class conventional submarines to India, Brazil, Malaysia, and Chile.

Founded

1631 (as Arsenal de Cherbourg)

Key Models

Suffren/Barracuda Class (SSN), Scorpène Class (conventional), Le Triomphant Class (SSBN)

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)

Germany - Kiel, Germany
Conventional submarines (AIP)

The world's leading exporter of conventional submarines. TKMS pioneered Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) using hydrogen fuel cells, allowing diesel-electric submarines to remain submerged for weeks without snorkeling. The Type 209 is one of the most widely exported submarine designs ever, serving 14 navies.

Founded

2005 (heritage from HDW, 1838)

Key Models

Type 212A/CD, Type 214, Type 209

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC)

Russia - Saint Petersburg, Russia
Nuclear & conventional submarines

Russia's state-owned shipbuilding conglomerate, incorporating the legendary Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) and Admiralty Shipyards (Saint Petersburg). Builds all Russian nuclear submarines at Sevmash, including the massive Typhoon class, and exports Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines to India, China, Vietnam, and Algeria.

Founded

2007

Key Models

Borei Class (SSBN), Yasen Class (SSGN), Kilo/Improved Kilo (conventional)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)

Japan - Tokyo, Japan
Conventional submarines (AIP)

One of two Japanese submarine builders (alongside Kawasaki Heavy Industries). MHI and KHI alternate submarine construction for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Taigei class features lithium-ion batteries - a world first for a full-size submarine - providing superior underwater endurance without AIP systems.

Founded

1884

Key Models

Taigei Class, Sōryū Class, Oyashio Class

Saab Kockums

Sweden - Malmö, Sweden
Conventional submarines (AIP)

Swedish submarine builder famous for the Gotland class - the first submarine with Stirling AIP engines. A Gotland-class submarine famously "sank" the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier during exercises in 2005, demonstrating the threat posed by modern conventional submarines to even the most advanced navies.

Founded

1840

Key Models

A26 Class, Gotland Class, Blekinge Class

Private & Tourist Submarine Manufacturers

Triton Submarines

United States - Vero Beach, Florida
$3M - $48M+

The world's leading manufacturer of deep-diving personal submersibles. Triton built the DSV Limiting Factor - the only vehicle certified for repeated dives to full ocean depth (11,000m). Their range spans from compact yacht tenders to record-breaking exploration vehicles.

Founded

2007

Specialization

Deep-diving submersibles, luxury subs

Key Models

Triton 3300/3

Triton 3300/3Triton 7500/3Triton 36000/2 (Limiting Factor)

U-Boat Worx

Netherlands - Breda, Netherlands
$1.2M - $15M+

Dutch submersible manufacturer offering the widest range of personal and commercial submarines in the world. Their Cruise Sub line is designed for cruise ships, while the Super Yacht Sub series is popular with superyacht owners. The NEXUS is their flagship - a transparent-hulled submersible offering unobstructed views.

Founded

2005

Specialization

Personal & commercial submersibles

Key Models

NEMO

NEMOSuper Yacht Sub 3Cruise SubNEXUS

SEAmagine

United States - Los Angeles, California
$2.5M - $10M+

Specializes in luxury transparent-hulled submersibles with panoramic acrylic spheres. The Aurora-5 seats five passengers in a stunning transparent cockpit. Popular with resort operators and private yacht owners who want the ultimate underwater viewing experience.

Founded

1995

Specialization

Luxury transparent submersibles

Key Models

Aurora-5

Aurora-5Ocean PearlSEAmagine 2

DeepFlight

United States - San Francisco, California
$1.5M - $5M+

Pioneer of "underwater flight" - submersibles that fly through the water using hydrofoil wings rather than traditional ballast systems. Founded by Graham Hawkes, one of the most innovative submarine designers in history. DeepFlight vehicles are positively buoyant, meaning they naturally float to the surface if power is lost.

Founded

1996

Specialization

Underwater flight vehicles

Key Models

Super Falcon 3S

Super Falcon 3SDragonDeepFlight Aviator

Migaloo

Austria - Graz, Austria
$25M - $2B+ (concept)

Designs ultra-luxury submarine yachts that blur the line between yacht, submarine, and private island. The M5 concept is a 115-meter submersible superyacht. The Kokomo is a floating private island that can submerge. While few Migaloo designs have been built, they represent the extreme frontier of luxury submarine concepts.

Founded

2013

Specialization

Luxury submarine yachts (concepts)

Key Models

Migaloo M5 (115m)

Migaloo M5 (115m)Migaloo Kokomo (private island sub)

The Submarine Industry in Numbers

Active Military Subs

~500

Countries with Subs

40+

Virginia Class Cost

$3.4B

Private Sub Start

$1.2M

The global submarine market is worth over $30 billion annually, dominated by military construction but with a rapidly growing civilian sector. New technologies like lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and autonomous systems are driving innovation across both military and private sectors.

Explore Further

Interested in what these manufacturers produce? Explore our buying guide for civilian submarines, learn about different submarine types, or discover the technology that powers modern submarines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who builds submarines for the US Navy?

The US Navy's submarines are built by two shipyards: General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, and Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Electric Boat is the primary designer and builder, while Newport News partners on Virginia-class production. Electric Boat has delivered over 200 submarines and built the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, in 1954.

Can civilians buy a submarine?

Yes, several manufacturers build personal and luxury submersibles for civilian buyers. Triton Submarines (USA), U-Boat Worx (Netherlands), SEAmagine (USA), and DeepFlight (USA) all produce civilian submersibles. Prices start at around $1.2 million for a compact two-person craft and can exceed $48 million for deep-diving exploration vehicles. These are classified as submersibles rather than submarines and require a support vessel.

Which country exports the most submarines?

Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is the world's leading exporter of conventional submarines. The Type 209 design has been sold to 14 navies worldwide, making it one of the most widely exported submarine classes in history. TKMS pioneered hydrogen fuel cell AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion), and their Type 212A and Type 214 designs are among the most advanced conventional submarines available for export.

How much does a military submarine cost to build?

Military submarine costs vary enormously by type and capability. A conventional diesel-electric submarine like the German Type 214 costs approximately $500-600 million. A US Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine costs about $3.4 billion. The next-generation Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine will cost roughly $8.5 billion per boat. These prices reflect the extreme engineering complexity of modern submarines.

What is the difference between a submarine and a submersible?

A submarine is a fully self-sufficient vessel that can operate independently for extended periods, generating its own power, air, and fresh water. Military submarines and some large civilian vessels fall in this category. A submersible is a smaller craft that depends on a support ship for launch, recovery, battery recharging, and crew support. Most civilian underwater vehicles, including tourist subs and private luxury models, are technically submersibles.