Royal IHC and Naval Group have signed the first order for the new Orka-class submarines

DefUpdate News Team

26 Sep 2026 +03th0 • 12,482 Views

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On 15 September 2026, Royal IHC and Naval Group signed a first contract covering the onboard accommodation module for the Royal Netherlands Navy's new Orka-class submarines as part of the Replacement of the Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) Program. According to a Naval Group press release As part of the contract, Royal IHC will contribute to the design of the living quarters on the new submarines. In a subsequent phase, Royal IHC will also be involved in the production and installation of these compartments within the modules. Royal IHC is one of the partners of Team Orka, a growing network of Dutch companies that contribute to the construction of the new Orka class and combine project experience in complex maritime projects with specialist craftsmanship for high-quality superstructure modules. This collaboration is in line with the Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) signed by Naval Group with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, highlighting the role of Dutch maritime expertise and production capacity in the realization of the Orka-class submarines. It also promotes cooperation and knowledge exchange between the Dutch and French maritime industries. Eric Gret, Royal IHC's Director of Defense, says, "The signing of this contract is a significant milestone for Royal IHC." "The trust that Naval Group has in our expertise and production capabilities confirms the strength of our organization. We are proud to contribute to the Orka-class submarines and look forward to continuing our future collaboration with Naval Group in the construction of complete modules." Mark Donderwinkel, Naval Group's Country Director for the Netherlands, says, "Collaboration with Dutch industrial partners is an essential part of the program for Naval Group." "Royal IHC brings proven maritime expertise and experience in complex projects. This first contract represents an important step in our joint commitment to providing the Royal Netherlands Navy with modern, reliable, and future-proof submarine capacity."