Naval Group wins deal for Dutch submarine replacement program

French shipbuilder Naval Group has been selected by The Netherlands Ministry of Defence for the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability project, based on the Barracuda family expeditionary submarines. 

As disclosed, the contract commits the company to implement a full-scale strategic partnership with the Netherlands aimed at supporting the Royal Netherlands Navy submarine service and intensifying cooperation with the Netherlands’ MOD, industry and R&D partners.

The Barracuda family selected by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence is a latest-generation submarine that will support and reinforce existing naval forces.

A key factor for this project is the strategic autonomy requirement, that the company supports through an industrial cooperation plan.

This plan will involve Naval Group’s existing network of Dutch partners on key systems and components, ensuring that the Netherlands ecosystem develops and retains expertise and involvement over the submarine life cycle.

“We are extremely honored to have been selected by the Netherlands following a hard competition and to be involved in this project of strategic importance. The Barracuda family submarine will provide the Royal Netherlands Navy with extended leadingedge capabilities satisfying the requirements set by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. We look forward to start working closely with our Dutch partners to successfully execute this major program which contributes to the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands,” Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group commented.

To remind, French Navy’s first Barracuda/Suffren-class submarine entered service in June 2022. The second vessel in this class joined the navy in August 2023.