Netherlands Selects Naval Group For New Attack Submarines
The Netherlands has selected Naval Group’s Blacksword Barracuda diesel-electric submarine design for its future attack submarine, with the design to start replacing the Royal Netherlands Navy’s current Walrus-class submarines by the mid-2030s.
Dutch State Secretary for Defence Christophe van der Maat announced the selection of the Naval Group offer at Den Helder Naval Base on Friday, unveiling the names of the future submarines alongside the youngest sailor and the youngest officer of the Submarine Service.
- HNLMS Orka (Orca)
- HNLMS Zwaardvis (Swordfish)
- HNLMS Barracuda
- HNLMS Tijgerhaai (Tigershark)
Van der Maat says that Naval Group presented a “balanced, multifaceted and realistic” offer, with the Blacksword Barracuda design a “worthy successor” to the Walrus-class submarines. He added that Dutch industrial involvement was a key award criteria for the selection, with Dutch companies to play a substantial role in building and maintaining the submarines.
According to the Dutch defense ministry, the Orka-class submarines will retain the Walrus-class’ ability to be globally deployed for various missions in both deep and shallow waters for extended periods of time. Improvements over the Walrus-class include the ability to launch cruise missiles, new sensors and better battery endurance.
The ministry describes the selection of the Naval Group offer as “provisional”, with the formal delivery contract to be signed after the tender assessment is debated in the House of Representatives. Naval Group has pledged to deliver the first two Orka-class submarines within 10 years of the signing of the formal delivery contract.
“We are extremely honored to have been selected by the Netherlands following a hard competition and to be involved in this project of strategic importance,” said Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group. “The Barracuda family submarine will provide the Royal Netherlands Navy with extended leadingedge capabilities satisfying the requirements set by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. We look forward to start working closely with our Dutch partners to successfully execute this major program which contributes to the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands.”
In the meantime, the Dutch defense ministry says that it will be retiring another Walrus-class submarine alongside lead submarine HNLMS Walrus, which was retired in October 2023, but did not give a timeframe for doing so. According to the ministry, the retirement of two submarines will free up spare parts to keep the remaining two in service until the mid-2030s.