Contract for the sale of four warships submarines signed today by French Naval Group with the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
These are four Barracuda class submarines, worth a total of 5.65 billion euros, which are intended to replace an equal number of Dutch submarines that have been in service since the beginning of the 1990s. Walrus class has already been refurbished. removed from service in October 2023. The service life of a submarine is on average 25 to 30 years.
According to the Naval Group, “the Barracuda-type submarine is extremely silent, powerful, maneuverable, stealthy and durable, and can operate underwater for a long period of time.” This suits the needs of the Netherlands, which needs to protect infrastructure and maritime routes, but also defend overseas territories.
The French group committed to delivering the first two submarines Orka and Zwaardvis 10 years after signing the contract. The other two submarines – Barracuda and Tijgerhaai – will be delivered by the end of 2039. These submarines can carry US Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as torpedoes.
“German Wedge”
To sign this contract, the French Naval Group had to overcome legal intervention in the Netherlands by the German group TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems), which also participated in the respective tender. What happened at the end of July.
The French group and the Dutch Ministry of Defense also had to reach an agreement on the position of Dutch industry in this program. Signed on September 10th between the Dutch government and Naval Group.
The Dutch submarine replacement program is part of a larger project in the Netherlands, which aims to renew almost the entire country’s war fleet – more than 20 ships, with an estimated investment of more than 11 billion euros.
Under this agreement, Naval Group will work for 20 years with several Dutch companies, including the Royal IHC shipyard, which will build submarines, as well as with important research institutes. Submarine maintenance will also offer Dutch companies the opportunity to join the Naval Group supply chain.
The agreement contains an industrial cooperation plan involving Dutch industries and research institutions, with the aim of strengthening the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands. “There are many Dutch companies involved in the Royal IHC, Thales project… We have a whole environment of Dutch companies”, states the Naval Group.
