The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MOD) has selected Naval Group , Saab Kockums and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the next bidding phase in the Royal Netherlands Navy’s submarine replacement program.
On December 13, 2019, the Netherlands MOD announced that the three consortia are invited to enter the next stage of the EUR 2.5 billion (USD 2.8 billion) program.
The fourth consortium, led by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, is now out of the competition.
The ministry has also issued a B-letter for the Walrus-class submarine replacement program that will see the construction of four new submarines for the navy.
As informed, the contract would be signed with one of the companies in 2022. All four submarine newbuilds are planned to be operational by 2031.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has four older Walrus class submarines which have been in service since 1990 – Walrus, Zeeleeuw, Dolfijn and Bruinvis. This is the only submarine class in the navy’s fleet.
Naval Today Staff