Naval Group and RH Marine have signed a contract to support the construction of the new Orka-class submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Under this contract, RH Marine will provide its expertise in platform automation, power supply, and system integration solutions to the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) programme.
With decades of experience working with the Royal Netherlands Navy, RH Marine will play a key role in ensuring operational excellence and long-term support for the four new conventionally powered Orka-class submarines.
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Dutch autonomy
The collaboration strengthens the foundation for long-term Dutch autonomy in submarine maintenance and future modernisation of submarines, while also fostering closer cooperation and knowledge exchange between the Dutch and French maritime industries. A growing network of Dutch companies contributes to the RNSC programme in areas such as hydraulics, energy management, acoustic insulation, composite structures, detection systems, and filtration.
In this way, Naval Group is able to build state-of-the-art submarines fully aligned with the needs of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The cooperation is also in line with the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) signed with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in September 2024.
The Industrial Cooperation Agreement ensures that Dutch industry and knowledge institutes are closely involved in the RNSC programme, reinforcing the national maritime cluster and safeguarding strategic capabilities for the future.
Also read: Construction of Dutch Orka-class submarines to begin
Dutch industrial involvement essential
‘We greatly value the expertise and innovative strength of RH Marine and look forward to working together on the delivery of the four new Orka-class submarines to the Royal Netherlands Navy,’ says Mark Donderwinkel, Country Director Netherlands at Naval Group. ‘Strong Dutch industrial involvement is essential for the success of this programme and underlines the importance of sustainable industrial cooperation within Europe.’
Koen Staffeleu, General Manager Naval at RH Marine: ‘This contract not only strengthens our collaboration with Naval Group, but also reflects our shared ambition to support the Royal Netherlands Navy with innovative and future-proof solutions. It confirms RH Marine’s role as a reliable partner within the Dutch maritime ecosystem.’
Picture: From left to right – Fabian Schaap (RH Marine), Julien Michaud (Naval Group), Noemie Delbeque (Naval Group), Dieter van Schagen (RH Marine), CDR Jurjen Kwak (MinDef), Guy Thoms (MinEZ), KLTZ Roelandt Paarlberg (MinDef), Jorn Houtsma (RH Marine). First row: Mark Donderwinkel (Naval Group), Olivier Doucy (Naval Group), Joop Wervers (RH Marine), Koen Staffeleu (RH Marine) (photo by RH Marine).
