One year after the Dutch MoD announced a delay, the submarine replacement program reached an important milestone. The announcement was made today by the Dutch MoD:
“Defense has reached an important milestone in the submarine replacement project. The quote request is ready. This application will be sent to the 3 candidate yards in mid-November 2022. The yards are then expected to send their bids around the summer of 2023. The Ministry of Defense needs a few months to analyze these bids and then make a decision about the award. State Secretary Christophe van der Maat wrote this to the House of Representatives today.”
The four in-service Walrus-class submarine will be replaced with four next generation diesel-electric submarines. The three competing shipyards are Naval Group, Saab Kockums and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The down-selection of the three companies was announced via the “B-letter” in December 2019. The four submarines are now expected to be in service in the 2030ies.
Dutch State Secretary for Defence reiterated the importance of the program:
“It is an important project and a lot of money. That is why we did not take any chances with the request for quotation to determine what kind of submarines we want and how much we are willing to pay for them. In addition, we want the boat to be able to be armed, for the boats to be delivered on time and for the Dutch industry to be involved in the construction and maintenance. This milestone heralds the next phase.”
Christophe van der Maat is State Secretary for Defence.
The Dutch MoD also added that it was seeking “long range missile” (read land attack cruise missiles) to be deployed from both the frigates and future submarines. The House of Representatives will be further informed about this need in 2023.
Budget increased
The Dutch MoD also announced that the budget for the procurement program has been increased: “This extra money is partly reserved in the Defense budget for 2023. The Ministry of Defense has also freed up money by identifying a number of projects from the long-term planning for which the midlife update can be carried out later. Defense considers this acceptable for now, because the effect on operational readiness would be limited. The government believes the project is worth this investment.”
Local industry
The Dutch MoD wants the competing shipbuilders to involve the Dutch industry in the construction and maintenance of the boats: “the winning yard will have to conclude an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate: a so-called industrial cooperation agreement.”
“The Department of Material Maintenance of the Navy will also have a coordinating role in the maintenance of the new submarines. In this way we retain staff and we can invest in new staff and infrastructure. Den Helder must become a ‘submarine maintenance valley’,”
Christophe van der Maat is State Secretary for Defence.
Our video coverage of the three candidates for the Walrus-class submarine replacement program during UDT 2022 in Rotterdam:
- Saab & Damen A26 NL submarine
- Naval Group Black Sword submarine (conventional Barracuda)
- TKMS Type 212CD E submarine
