“Historic Alliance Established: The Netherlands and Naval Group Forge a New Era for Defense and Maritime Innovation”

Today, Dirk Beljaarts, Minister of Economic Affairs for The Netherlands and
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, formalized the Industrial
Collaboration Agreement (ICA) associated with the contract for the Replacement
Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) initiative, which is set to be endorsed in the
upcoming weeks by the Netherlands Ministry of Defense. The event took place
at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague.

The Industrial Collaboration Agreement (ICA) serves as a definitive document that outlines the industrial
partnership strategy of Naval Group with the Dutch defense and maritime sector for the
Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) initiative.
The Netherlands selected Naval Group to provide four state-of-the-art expeditionary submarines,
modeled on the Barracuda family design, following a thorough and competitive tender process. This new
class of submarines addresses stringent operational requirements and aspires to serve as a suitable substitute
for the existing Walrus-class.
The ICA constitutes a crucial element of the submarine program as it includes the industrial
collaboration plan engaging Dutch industries and research centers, targeting maximization of strategic autonomy.
Under this agreement, Naval Group will partner for two decades with numerous
prominent Dutch firms and knowledge institutions. This significant initiative already encompasses a blend
of large corporations, SMEs, innovative high-tech enterprises, and educational institutions. The
agreement paves the route for a long-lasting partnership aimed at generating value over the
entire life-cycle of these four advanced submarines.
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, remarked: “It is a privilege to be in The Hague
today to formalize the Industrial Collaboration Agreement, which represents a pivotal step for the RNSC program.
This agreement establishes an ambitious partnership between the Netherlands Defense
Technological and Industrial Base (NLDTIB) and Naval Group to collaboratively develop the next generation of the
Royal Netherlands Navy’s submarines. We are enthusiastic about furthering this collaboration in the future.
The Netherlands Defense Technological and Industrial Base provides high-performance and niche solutions that will be prominently integrated into this initiative, and I consider Naval
Group exceptionally fortunate to collaborate closely with such talented partners within the
framework of this project and beyond, for the many years ahead.”

The ICA will contribute to a substantial enhancement of the Netherlands Defense Technological and
Industrial Base (NLDTIB) in the design, development, and fabrication of crucial components
and subsystems for cutting-edge submarines, as well as for systems concerning surface vessels.
Several of the company’s primary Dutch partners took the chance to commend their collaboration
with Naval Group:
Derk te Bokkel, CEO of Royal IHC: “We extend heartfelt congratulations to Naval Group and the
Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs on this momentous occasion. The signing of the ICA signifies
a pivotal advancement in the program and for the Royal Netherlands Navy in their essential mission to
ensure security at sea and from the sea.
As a shipbuilder and premier provider of high-tech maritime solutions, Royal IHC is honored to
participate in this strategic venture alongside extensive involvement from the Dutch industry.
We are confident that this project will further invigorate the Dutch maritime ecosystem, promoting the preservation and advancement of Dutch knowledge, employment, and the economy.”
Pieter van Breugel, Managing Director of Verebus: “For years we have pursued a long-lasting
strategic partnership with Naval Group, leading us to this extraordinary moment.
Verebus eagerly anticipates a successful collaboration, which has already resulted in an initial signed
contract for the development of a sustainable and efficient engineering support model for
the submarines within the RNSC program.”
Mark Jacobs, CCO of Optics11: “We have experienced an exceptionally productive collaboration with Naval Group and
Thales during the bidding phase, and our inclusion in the ICA is a valid recognition of that effort.
With this endorsement, we formalize our partnership and ensure our contribution to the Orka
program by delivering the towed arrays.”
Hugo Loudon, CEO of RH Marine: “RH Marine is excited to collaborate with Naval
Group and the other Orka team members to support the Royal Netherlands Navy Submarine
service in safeguarding our waters.”
Rientz Willem Bol, CEO of Bolidt: “Where innovation embarks on a journey of excellence. Our heartfelt congratulations
to Naval Group for being chosen for the Orka contract. This milestone reflects your dedication, diligence, and expertise within the submarine domain. The signing of the Industrial
Collaboration Agreement provides a robust signal of your commitment to enhancing the strategic
partnership with the Dutch maritime industry. Bolidt is looking forward to