On 10 September, Dirk Beljaarts, minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, and Pierre Eric Pommellet, president and CEO of Naval Group, signed the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) regarding the Replacement Dutch Submarine Capability (RNSC) contract, which will be signed by the Ministry of Defence in the coming weeks.
Replacement Walrus class
After a rigorous and demanding tender process, the Netherlands have selected Naval Group to deliver four new generation expeditionary submarines, based on the design of the Barracuda family. This new class of submarines meets demanding operational needs and is intended to be a worthy replacement for the current Walrus class.
Industrial Cooperation Agreement
The ICA establishes Naval Group's industrial cooperation strategy with the Dutch defence and maritime sector, involving industries and knowledge centres, with the aim of maximising strategic autonomy.
It will lead to a significant strengthening of the Netherlands Defence Technological and Industrial Base (NLDTIB) in the design, development and production of critical components and subsystems for state-of-the-art submarines, as well as systems for surface ships.
Pierre Eric Pommellet, chairman and CEO Naval Group:
"It is an honor to be in the Hague to sign the Industrial Cooperation Agreement which is a major step for the RNSC program. This agreement lays out an ambitious cooperation between the Dutch Defense and Technological Industrial Base and Naval Group to build the next generation of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s submarines together. We are eager to keep leveraging on this cooperation in the future. The Dutch Defense and Technological Industrial Base delivers high-performing and niche solutions that will be widely included in this program and I view Naval Group as extremely lucky to be able to work closely with such skilled partners within the framework of this program and beyond, for the decades to come."
RH Marine
RH Marine is proud to be part of this project, just as we were involved in the realisation of the Walrus class and its predecessors.
Hugo Loudon, managing director of RH Marine: "RH Marine is looking forward to working with Naval Group and the other Orka team members in developing the state-of-the-art submarines and supporting the Royal Netherlands Navy Submarine service in protecting our seas."
