On 30 September 2024, Gijs Tuinman, Dutch State Secretary for Defence, and Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, signed the Delivery Agreement for the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) program. The ceremony was held at the DMI (Directie Materiële Instandhouding) in Den Helder. This decisive step marks the launching of the Orka-class program, following the signature of the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) between Naval Group and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The signature of the Delivery Agreement marks the start of the program for the replacement of the Walrus-class submarines currently operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy, following a thorough evaluation and bidding process conducted by the Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense.

Gijs Tuinman, Dutch State Secretary for Defense, stated: “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 specialized knowledge.”

Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and 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 selected by one of NATO's most advanced submarine fleet operator, meeting demanding operational and technical requirements. This cooperation reflects the trust that the Netherlands Ministry of Defense places in our common expertise and our commitment to deliver on its requirements.”

As part of the Barracuda family of submarines, this program strengthens the strategic capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of COMMIT said: “A thorough procurement process has pointed the Orka-class by Naval Group out to be the best replacement for the Walrus-class submarines. The Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda and Tijgerhaai will give the Netherlands Submarine Service a head start in underwater warfare.”

The Orka-class program also aims at strengthening the Netherlands’ strategic autonomy, further deepening the existing cooperation between the Netherlands Ministry of Defense, the Netherlands Defense Industrial Base (NL-DTIB) and Naval Group for the coming decades.

A key factor of the RNSC program is the strategic autonomy requirement, that Naval Group supports through an ambitious industrial cooperation plan which was formalized by the signing of the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) with the Ministry of Economic Affairs on 10th September, 2024. Under this agreement, Naval Group is committed to cooperate with numerous key Dutch companies and knowledge institutes over a period of twenty years. This plan involves Naval Group’s network of Dutch partners on key systems and components, ensuring that the Netherlands ecosystem develops and retains expertise and involvement over the submarine life cycle, centered around DMI.

For the Netherlands maritime cluster, participation in the submarine program and the knowledge and experience gained, will provide an excellent opportunity to further extend their business with Naval Group. This will also provide the required knowledge and expertise to successfully and autonomously operate, maintain and upgrade the submarines during their life cycle.

This industrial organization is well aligned with the Netherlands MOD requirement to retain autonomy during the lifetime of the submarines.

As an international naval defence player, Naval Group is a partner for countries seeking to maintain control of their maritime sovereignty. Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet its customers’ requirements. Present throughout the entire life cycle of vessels, it designs, produces, integrates, supports and upgrades submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, up to and including dismantling. It also provides shipyard and naval base services. As a high-tech company, it draws on its outstanding expertise, unique design and production resources and ability to establish strategic partnerships, in particular within the framework of transfers of technology.

Ever mindful of the issues of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Naval Group is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. With bases on five continents, the group generates revenue of 4,257 billion euros and has 16 325 employees (average annual full-time equivalent workforce - data as of December 31, 2023).