As part of the Netherlands’ Submarine Replacement Capability Program (RNSC), Naval Group and RH Marine have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at ensuring Dutch industry participation in the construction of the future Orka-class attack submarines. This contract strengthens a major project that seeks to equip the Royal Netherlands Navy with four new conventionally powered units, which will replace the veteran Walrus-class submarines commissioned in the early 1990s.
Through this partnership, RH Marine will contribute its expertise in platform automation, power distribution, and integrated systems solutions—key elements to ensure the operational efficiency of the new submarines. Thanks to decades of collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy, the company will play a crucial role in the delivery and sustainment of the Orka class, ensuring both operational excellence and long-term logistical support.
The Orka program stands as one of Europe’s most significant strategic naval initiatives, strengthening the Netherlands’ technological autonomy while fostering industrial cooperation with France. Through this collaboration, Naval Group will be able to integrate a network of Dutch companies specializing in critical areas such as hydraulics, energy management, composite structures, detection systems, and filtration technologies. This synergy aligns with the industrial cooperation agreement signed in 2024 between both countries, which aims to consolidate a shared maritime and technological foundation.
RH Marine’s inclusion also fits within a broader context involving the definition of the new submarines’ weapon systems. In June of this year, the Dutch Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Orka class will be equipped with JSM-SL anti-ship missiles developed by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, ultimately discarding the U.S.-made Tomahawk missile option due to its high cost. With this decision, the Netherlands joins a European initiative seeking to ensure autonomy in submarine-launched strike missile capabilities.
According to the current schedule, the first Orka-class submarines are expected to enter service around 2034, consolidating the Netherlands’ position as a key player in the North Atlantic and in joint NATO operations. The participation of Naval Group and RH Marine in this process not only strengthens Franco-Dutch industrial ties but also ensures that the Orka program becomes a milestone in technological innovation and sustainability for European defense.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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