The future of the Dutch submarine service: a collective adventure
Defense Naval
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Discussion with Danny van den Bosch, Deputy Head of the program for the Dutch Ministry of Defence and representative of COMMIT (Materiel and IT Command) in Cherbourg and Sylvain Perrier, RNSC Program Director for Naval Group
What kick-started the RNSC program?
Sylvain Perrier : On September 30, 2024, Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and Chief executive officer (CEO) of Naval Group, and Gijs Tuinman, the Dutch State Secretary for Defence, signed the delivery agreement of the future Orka-class submarines (Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda, and Tijgerhaai) that will replace the current Walrus-class submarines. The signing of this delivery agreement kick-started the RNSC program and paved the way for decades of collaboration between Naval Group and the Netherlands MOD. However, our preparatory efforts had begun well before the official start, during the pre-contract phase, namely by identifying key Dutch partners that will be involved in the program. About 10 companies have been involved so far, including Verebus and Van Halteren Technologies, with which contracts have already been signed. The company also enjoys a lively cooperation with the Netherlands knowledge institutes, some of which will become partners within the frame of the RNSC program, following their successful involvement on surface ship projects. For instance, a letter of intent has been signed with Marin last November. The signature of an Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) on September 10 with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs formalised this industrial cooperation strategy of Naval Group with the Netherlands defence and maritime sector.
Danny van den Bosch : The process of finding the most suitable partner began several years ago. Before we launched the tender, we engaged in multiple discussions with key stakeholders to gauge the market landscape and determine what was feasible. We were not only looking for the industrial capability, that we knew we didn’t have in the Netherlands anymore, to construct the finest submarines in their class but also for a partner with whom we could engage in an expert, productive and ongoing dialogue. The idea was to mutually enrich each other to enhance our collective expertise: sharing knowledge and resources, and being able to build and rely on each other today, tomorrow, and in the future.
In what context and with what objectives was the tender launched?
D. v. d. B. : The existing four diesel-electric attack submarines operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy that have been introduced in the early 1990s, have undergone various upgrades to extend their service lives, and they will have to be replaced. The signing of the agreement marks the final step in a rigorous selection process by the Netherlands to find the best industrial partner. Our decision was based on four key objectives for the Netherlands and its navy: to grow its strategic influence, enhance its maritime strike capability, improve its ability to gather, analyse, and share intelligence globally, and increase its capacity for special operations. As nations, France and the Netherlands share a long maritime and engineering history. Both rely on a strong submarine fleet for their defence policy and both are North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members. The Dutch submarines
are a niche capacity within NATO, as they are expeditionary and suitable for brown and blue water operations. This will be true for the Orka-class as it is true for the Walrus-class, and this is something we want to emphasise from the start. We are a big part of NATO’s submarine capability and will still be in 30 years’ time. We have a responsibility towards the next generation and want to provide them with the best submarine available.
Why was Naval Group chosen?
D. v. d. B. : We launched the tender with very clear objectives, and Naval Group responded with a proposal that met the level of excellence we require to keep the Netherlands at the forefront of underwater warfare with a new fleet of four stateof- the-art diesel-electric submarines.
Naval Group’s extensive experience in submarine manufacturing and upkeeping, its ability to support Dutch strategic capabilities and autonomy, and its commitment to integrating the strong Dutch industrial base into the design, construction, and maintenance of the future submarine class made the French proposal the best choice for the Netherlands. The Orka-class is part of the Barracuda family. By leveraging the capabilities of the Suffren-class submarines, stemming from the French Barracuda program, and working on the Barracuda family design to adapt it to our specific requirements through meetings and discussions with Naval Group, the Orka-class submarines will give the Netherlands Submarine Service a head start in future battle. We’ve always wanted the ’best of the best’ when it comes to submarines, we’ve always been aiming very high. With the Orka-class, we know we’ll remain on the top-end of underwater warfare.
S. P. : There a re p robably several reasons why Naval Group’s proposal was selected. Firstly, our extensive expertise in both conventional and advanced non-conventional submarines, particularly demonstrated through our Barracuda family, sets us apart. Secondly, our proposal was based on our understanding of COMMIT’s requirements, refined through a very fruitful dialogue phase. Thirdly, we also focused a lot on integrating an array of expertise available in the Netherlands as early as possible in the project. Agreements have actually been signed as soon as a month after the Delivery Agreement signature with some of our Netherlands partners! Lastly, our commitment to timely delivery has been highlighted during the tender process as we have guaranteed to meet the requirements within the specified timeline. This is critical because the timeline for designing, building, and delivering the future Orka-class submarines is of key importance to ensure the Netherlands Submarine Service operations continuity, with four ships to be delivered between 2033 and 2037 — 12 months apart for the first two and 18 months apart for the next two.
Point of view
Why was Naval Group chosen?
D. v. d. B. : We launched the tender with very clear objectives, and Naval Group responded with a proposal that met the level of excellence we require to keep the Netherlands at the forefront of underwater warfare with a new fleet of four stateof- the-art diesel-electric submarines.
Naval Group’s extensive experience in submarine manufacturing and upkeeping, its ability to support Dutch strategic capabilities and autonomy, and its commitment to integrating the strong Dutch industrial base into the design, construction, and maintenance of the future submarine class made the French proposal the best choice for the Netherlands. The Orka-class is part of the Barracuda family. By leveraging the capabilities of the Suffren-class submarines, stemming from the French Barracuda program, and working on the Barracuda family design to adapt it to our specific requirements through meetings and discussions with Naval Group, the Orka-class submarines will give the Netherlands Submarine Service a head start in future battle. We’ve always wanted the ’best of the best’ when it comes to submarines, we’ve always been aiming very high. With the Orka-class, we know we’ll remain on the top-end of underwater warfare.
S. P. : There a re p robably several reasons why Naval Group’s proposal was selected. Firstly, our extensive expertise in both conventional and advanced non-conventional submarines, particularly demonstrated through our Barracuda family, sets us apart. Secondly, our proposal was based on our understanding of COMMIT’s requirements, refined through a very fruitful dialogue phase. Thirdly, we also focused a lot on integrating an array of expertise available in the Netherlands as early as possible in the project. Agreements have actually been signed as soon as a month after the Delivery Agreement signature with some of our Netherlands partners! Lastly, our commitment to timely delivery has been highlighted during the tender process as we have guaranteed to meet the requirements within the specified timeline. This is critical because the timeline for designing, building, and delivering the future Orka-class submarines is of key importance to ensure the Netherlands Submarine Service operations continuity, with four ships to be delivered between 2033 and 2037 — 12 months apart for the first two and 18 months apart for the next two.
What is the scope of Naval Group responsibility in this program?
S. P. : As the prime contractor for the RNSC program, Naval Group assumes comprehensive responsibility for designing, building, and delivering the submarines. This includes identifying and selecting new suppliers and establishing a robust framework to support them throughout their entire lifecycle. As such, Naval Group is actively cooperating with the Netherlands Defence Technological and Industrial Base (NL-DTIB), engaging its existing network of Dutch partners on critical systems and components and fostering the development and retention of expertise within the Netherlands’ ecosystem throughout the entire submarines’ lifecycle. This network of knowledge institutes, companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) offers a vast array of technology and expertise. The selection of Naval Group for the RNSC program will set a new ambition to this relationship and is an opportunity of growth for both the NL-DTIB and the group, that will benefit from the niche expertise of the Dutch ecosystem.
What is the industrial strategy for the program?
S. P. : Activities will extend across all Naval Group locations, not only in Cherbourg, which historically is the submarine manufacturing site of Naval Group. Each site is assigned specific roles based on its in-depth expertise. The NL-DTIB companies and knowledge centres, with which contracts have been or will soon be signed, will contribute in regard to their own expertise (Royal IHC for modules manufacturing, RH Marine for power and platform management systems, Van Halteren for hydraulic systems and refrigerating units, Bolidt for acoustic cladding, Optics 11 for towed array, Marin and TNO for performance studies…), to complement Naval Group’s expertise. In that way we will answer the requirements of COMMIT, thought out to lead to the manufacturing of a submarine class that meets the high standards of the Netherlands Submarine Service.
How do you and COMMIT in general envision the next decades of cooperation?
D. v. d. B. : Moving ahead together is the principle behind our cooperation, and we want it to be more than words. This can only be achieved through a close cooperation, where each party benefits from the other, in terms of expertise but also of methodology, to run the program successfully and to create a state-of-the-art, niche submarine, that meets the needs of the generations to come. Because of this, a colleague and I have relocated to Cherbourg, to be as close to the Naval Group part of the team as possible, and others will join us soon. Together with the Naval Group team, we also very frequently travel back to Utrecht in the Netherlands, where the COMMIT headquarters are located, so we create a strong cohesion and a transparent work environment. Of course, it means that each of us has to make a step forward to adapt to the culture of the other! But we are driven by a common goal. I always say that these submarines are not for me: I am working for my children and other future generations, and together, we are creating submarines that will still be relevant in the 2070s.
In what state of mind are you now that the program has been launched?
S. P. : To meet our commitment under the RNSC program, we’re putting all our strength into the battle. We have already onboarded all industrial Naval Group sites in France and some industrial partners in France and in the Netherlands, ensuring they are fully prepared to contribute to the success of the program. Actions have already been carried out and anticipation has been the key word over the months leading to the delivery agreement signature, as we wanted to make sure that we were in battle order, ready to tackle this exceptional challenge.
D. v. d. B. : We’re ready to further cement our collaboration. Tangible milestones have already been reached and we are working hard to make this programme a success. We are looking for nothing less than excellence: we want to push the industries working on the program to go even further, to explore how they can do even better. We expect everyone involved in this cooperation to give their best and to go the extra mile.