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Naval Group, Saab Kockums, and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have all submitted tenders to construct submarines for the Netherlands.
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The Dutch Ministry of Defence will start the assessment process and award decision for the construction of four submarines. That process is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Earlier this week, Dutch State Secretary for Defence Christophe van der Maat informed the House of Representatives of the received tenders.
“Submarines are among the most effective weapon platforms of the armed forces. Replacing the vessels will be the MOD’s largest materiel project in the coming years,” a Ministry of Defence statement said.
“Following the signing of the contract, it will take about 10 years for the first two submarines to be commissioned, not least because they have yet to be built and complete sea trials.
“The submarine service will in the meantime continue to operate the Walrus Class boats. Two of the four boats currently in service will in time be decommissioned. Their parts will subsequently be used for the maintenance of the remaining boats.”
Candidate shipyards also submitted industrial cooperation proposals which will be formalised into an industrial cooperation agreement to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
The winning tender is expected to contribute to the Dutch Defence Technological and Industrial Base.
The Royal Netherlands Navy have operated the 67-metre-long Walrus Class of submarines since the 1990s. Each submarine has a range of 10,000 nautical miles and is armed with torpedoes, surface-to-surface missiles, and sea mines.
Plans were originally announced in 2014 to replace Walrus Class submarines in 2025.
