Naval Group & Royal IHC partner for the RNSC Programme

Naval Group and Royal IHC signed a contract to support the construction of the new Orka-class submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy on June 16, marking a milestone in the implementation of the Replacement of the Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) programme.

Building on a partnership initiated in 2018, Naval Group and Royal IHC will continue to combine their complementary experience and expertise in the design and manufacture of complex maritime and defence systems. With this contract, Royal IHC will contribute its recognised expertise in steel structures and modular construction to the RNSC programme, supporting the delivery of four new-generation conventionally propelled submarines in replacement of the current Walrus-class submarines operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy.

By partnering with a Dutch leader in complex shipbuilding, Naval Group strengthens the foundation for long-term national autonomy in submarine maintenance and future upgrades, while fostering deeper cooperation and knowledge-sharing between Dutch and French naval industries. In line with the 2024 Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) signed with the Dutch ministry of economic affairs, a growing network of Dutch companies are contributing to the RNSC programme—in areas including hydraulics, energy management, acoustic cladding, composite structures, detection systems and filtration—allowing Naval Group to manufacture state-of-the-art submarines to meet the needs of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

“This agreement is a major milestone in Naval Group’s long-standing commitment to working closely with the Dutch Defence and Technology Industrial Base (NLDTIB),” said Chairman and CEO of Naval Group Pierre Éric Pommellet. “We are honoured to work with such skilled partners within the framework of this programme and beyond, for the decades to come,” he added.

CEO of Royal IHC, Derk te Bokkel said, “As a Dutch supplier of maritime technology, we are proud to make a high-tech contribution to this strategic project. This contract underscores the confidence in the quality and expertise of Royal IHC. We also congratulate all of the other Dutch partners who play a role in this programme. The choice for strong Dutch industrial involvement is essential for the preservation and further development of our knowledge base, employment, and economic strength.”