The Delivery Agreement for the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) programme has been signed, France’s Naval Group announced on 30 September 2024.
The agreement was signed by Dutch Defence Minister Gijs Tuinman and Naval Group CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet at a ceremony held on 30 September at the Directie Materiële Instandhouding (DMI) in Den Helder, the Netherlands. It follows the signature of an industrial co-operation agreement between Naval Group and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The signing of the Delivery Agreement, however, effectively marks the official launching of the Orka-class programme, which will replace the Walrus-class diesel-electric submarines currently operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Tuinman stated at the event, “With the signature of the delivery agreement, we officially confirm that the road to new submarines runs through France and the Netherlands. Through Naval Group, which has extensive experience in building submarines, but also through the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry, which has unique and specialised knowledge.”
Pommellet 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 honoured to have been selected by one of NATO’s most advanced submarine fleet operators, meeting demanding operational and technical requirements. This co-operation reflects the trust that the Netherlands Ministry of Defence places in our common expertise and our commitment to deliver on its requirements.”
Naval Group’s selection by the Dutch Ministry of Defence for the RNSC project was announced on 15 March 2024, based on the group bidding a conventional diesel-electric-powered variant of its Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine design. The French design was selected ahead of bids from a Damen and Saab teaming, offering a derivative of Saab’s A26 design, and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, which was offering its Type 212 design.
