tate Secretary Christophe van der Maat expressed his enthusiasm for the decision, stating, “The parliamentary process has now been completed. I look forward to the sequel with confidence.”
Dutch Ministry of Defence will now proceed with the necessary preparations to formalize the contract with Naval Group. The decision to award the contract to Naval Group follows a competitive selection process initiated in December 2019, which saw Naval Group, Saab, and thyssenKrupp Marine Systems shortlisted.
Naval Group’s winning proposal featured a conventional variant of its Barracuda design, known as Blacksword. Saab, in collaboration with Damen, had offered the C718, an enlarged expeditionary version of the A26 submarine for the Royal Swedish Navy. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems presented an evolved variant of the Class 212CD design, already selected by Germany and Norway.
The new submarines are expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy, ensuring continued maritime security and operational effectiveness. The decision represents a critical milestone in modernizing the Dutch naval fleet and maintaining its readiness for future challenges.
