Gijs Tuinman, Dutch State Secretary for Defense, and Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, yesterday signed the delivery agreement for the Dutch Submarine Replacement Program (RNSC). The ceremony took place at the DMI (Directie Materiële Instandhouding – Directorate of Material Maintenance) construction site in Den Helder. This decisive step marks the launch of the Orka class program and follows the signing of the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) between Naval Group and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs on September 10.
The signing of this contract marks the start of the program to replace the Walrus-class submarines currently operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy, following an extensive assessment and tender process led by the Dutch government agency COMMIT (Commando Materiel en IT) on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Gijs Tuinman, Dutch State Secretary for Defense, said: “With the signing of this delivery contract, we officially confirm that the route to new submarines passes through France and the Netherlands: Naval Group has extensive experience in submarine construction and the maritime industry Dutch company has unique and specialized knowledge. » Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, added: “I am extremely pleased to be here today to sign this contract for the delivery of four expeditionary submarines to be operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy. Naval Group is honored to have been chosen by one of NATO’s most advanced submarine fleet operators, meeting high operational and technical requirements. This cooperation reflects the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s confidence in our shared expertise and commitment to meet its requirements. »
This program, based on Barracuda family submarines, strengthens the strategic capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy. COMMIT Commander Jan Willem Hartman said: “An extensive acquisition process showed that the submarine proposed by Naval Group was the best solution to replace the Walrus-class submarines. The submarines Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda and Tijgerhaai will give the Royal Netherlands Navy a head start in underwater warfare. » The Orka class program also aims to strengthen the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands, by deepening the existing cooperation between the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Dutch Defense Industrial and Technological Base and Naval Group for decades to come.
One of the key factors of the RNSC program is the requirement for strategic autonomy that Naval Group supports through an ambitious industrial cooperation plan formalized by the signing of an Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs on 10 September 2024. As part of this agreement, Naval Group undertakes to cooperate with key Dutch companies and scientific institutes over a period of twenty years. This plan involves Naval Group’s Dutch partner network on key systems and components, ensuring that the Dutch ecosystem develops and maintains its expertise and involvement throughout the lifecycle of the submarine, with DMI (Directorate of Dutch equipment maintenance) at the center of this process.
For the Dutch maritime cluster, participation in the submarine program, as well as the knowledge and experience gained, will provide an opportunity to develop their activities with Naval Group. This will also provide the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully and autonomously operate, maintain and modernize submarines throughout their life cycle.
This industrial organization meets the requirement of the Dutch Ministry of Defense to maintain strategic autonomy throughout the life cycle of submarines.
