Netherlands Submarine Capabilities

Based at Den Helder, the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) currently operates four Walrus-class boats, built indigenously by Dutch defense firm Rotterdamse Droogdok Mij (RDM).¹ While the Dutch Navy primarily seeks to secure the Baltic and Mediterranean waters, it has also engaged in drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean, where the RNLN holds a minor base on the Netherlands Antilles.²

Total Submarines in Fleet: 4

• Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs): 0
• Nuclear-Powered attack submarines (SSNs): 0
• Diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs): 4
• Air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled: 0

Submarines

In the early 1990s, the Dutch government decommissioned its two Zwaardvis-class submarines with plans to procure six Walrus-class vessels. However, they ended up building only four submarines: the Walrus (S802), Zeeleeuw (S803), Dolfijn (S808), and Bruinvis (S810).³ In June 2008, the RNLN commissioned German manufacturer L-3 ELAC Nautik to upgrade the medium-range sonar systems of three of the four Walrus-class submarines. Then, in 2009, the RNLN contracted German shipbuilding company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft to supply and integrate second-generation HABETaS escape system into all the vessels.⁴

The RNLN is interested in maintaining and updating its existing submarine capabilities. In May 2013, the Netherlands Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Imtech Marine Netherlands to refit its four Walrus-class submarines, extending their service lives to 2025 and upgrading their sonar, navigation, and communications systems.⁵ In January 2015, Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group and Swedish defense firm Saab Group formed a consortium to develop an expeditionary submarine for Netherland’s Walrus Replacement Programme (WRES).⁶ In addition, the RNLN contracted Damen to refit submarine support ship and torpedo tender HNLMS Mercuur (A900), which reentered service in mid-2016. The upgraded Mercuur possesses an enhanced communications suite which improves operational flexibility.⁷ Under the WRES, the four Walrus-class submarines currently in service will be replaced with four new vessels. On 30 September 2022, the Netherlands announced that its request for bids for the replacement program was now open, and the project budget had been increased.⁸ France’s Naval Group, Sweden’s Saab Kockums, and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) received a request for quotation (RFQ) from the Netherlands Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 16 November 2022, and the companies were expected to submit their bids during the summer of 2023.⁹ The MoD anticipated that the replacement program would take a decade from awarding a contract to the time when the first two submarines enter service. In the meantime, the first two Walrus-class vessels will be decommissioned, and their parts will be used to extend the service of the other two.¹⁰

In March 2024, the Dutch government announced it had provisionally awarded contracts to the French shipbuilding company Naval Group. As part of the Walrus-class replacement program, Naval Group will supply the Netherlands with four new “Orka-class” submarines. The names of these submarines will be Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda, and Tijgerhaai.¹¹ These boats will be equipped with the ability to launch cruise missiles. They will also have the latest sensors and communications systems, along with a larger energy capacity. The Naval Group is expected to supply the first two vessels within 10 years, replacing two of the walrus-class submarines during that time.¹²

Ship Biographies

Walrus-Class

The RNLN possesses four Walrus-class diesel-electric attack submarines. These vessels are 67.7 meters long with an 8.4-meter-wide beam and can travel up to 20 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for 60 days without surfacing. Their weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes.¹³

Orka-Class

The Dutch government has made a deal with the French Naval Group for four Orka-class submarines. These vessels are expected to significantly advance the current submarine fleet. They are expected to be 3,300 tonnes and a length of 82 meters. They will be armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles and enhanced by lithium-ion batteries. As part of the Netherlands’ commitment to maritime security the submarines are designed for stealth, endurance, and flexibility.¹⁴

Imports

Historically, the Netherlands did not import submarines. However, that has changed since the announcement of a partnership with the French company Naval Group in 2024. Four shipbuilding groups had been shortlisted in 2019, each presenting different submarine designs.¹⁵

The Dutch government eventually chose the Orka-class design of Naval Group, but the decision was controversial among some Dutch members of Parliament, as well as from another of the shortlisted groups. Members of Parliament were worried that giving this project to a French company would undermine the Dutch naval industry, though they reassured the public they would continue to support the Royal Navy in building their navy ships.¹⁶ The shortlisted German company, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, objected to the French company gaining the company they took it to court, though to no avail. The court ruled against the German company and reconfirmed the deal with Naval Group.¹⁷

Exports

Historically, the Netherlands hosted two main shipyards for submarine export: Roterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij Submarines B.V. (RDM) and the Wilton Fijenoord shipyard. However, due to a shortage of orders, Fijenoord closed its submarine division in 1988. Similarly, RDM ceased submarine production in 2004 due and filed for bankruptcy.¹⁸

In 1981, the Dutch government exported two Zwaardvis-class vessels to Taiwan. Facing Chinese pressure, the Netherlands did not pursue any further defense sales to Taiwan.¹⁹ Since the Netherlands’ aborted attempt to export used Zwaardvis-class submarines to Malaysia in 2006, Dutch companies have not attempted further submarine sales.²⁰