France’s Naval Group has announced an expansion of its partnerships within the Dutch defense sector, focusing on the upcoming Orka-class submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy. This development comes after the signing of fresh contracts with Nevesbu and Van Halteren Technologies during a recent defense and security convention held in Rotterdam.
Nevesbu and Van Halteren Technologies will join Team Orka, a consortium of Dutch suppliers collaborating under the guidance of Naval Group. This initiative aims to fulfill the 2024 Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability project, which seeks to replace the aging Walrus-class submarines that have been operational since the 1990s.
The recent partnerships also align with an Industrial Cooperation Agreement established between Naval Group and Amsterdam’s economic affairs agency. This agreement aims to bolster local expertise, ensure long-term maintenance autonomy, and enhance Dutch-French maritime collaboration.
Under the agreements, Nevesbu is set to design several intricate subsystems for the future submarines, drawing on the company’s extensive experience in submarine development over the past ninety years. The focus will be on addressing critical challenges like noise reduction and precise system integration. These capabilities are vital for ensuring that the submarines remain stealthy while maneuvering in constrained internal environments.
“Nevesbu’s contribution to this programme highlights our strength as a knowledge partner in submarine design,” stated Nevesbu Managing Director Bart van Rijssen. “We look forward to working with Naval Group and the other partners to realize a new class of advanced submarines for the Netherlands.”
In parallel, Van Halteren Technologies will be responsible for supplying essential hardware components. This will include central hydraulic power units, refrigeration and freezing systems, anchor winches, and capstans—all of which are designed and manufactured in-house. The production of these systems will adhere to rigorous standards, ensuring durability, shock resistance, and a compact, lightweight design.
“The Royal Netherlands Navy is an important customer for us, and we are proud that, in cooperation with Naval Group, we can contribute to this new class of Dutch submarines,” commented Izaak Veerman, CEO of Van Halteren Technologies.
These developments reflect a significant step towards enhancing the capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy through modernized submarine technology and collaborative local expertise.
