Editing Walrus-class submarine (section)

==Replacement==
{{Main|Walrus-class replacement program}}

In November 2014, the [[Dutch Minister of Defence]] announced plans to replace the ''Walrus''-class submarines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2015/01/20/Swedes-Dutch-partner-for-future-submarine-work/2621421769173/ |title=Swedes, Dutch partner for future submarine work |work=UPI.com |date=22 January 2015 |last=Tomkins |first=Richard |access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref> in 2025. By 2017, there was still no political agreement on the quantity or type of new submarines to be ordered, nor the tasks they were expected to perform. However, it seems certain that they will be replaced, since the alleged Russian threat was regarded an incentive to invest in a new class. The Minister of Defence, however, delayed the replacement by two years, until 2027. Roughly, there are two groups in the Dutch parliament – one in favor of replacing the ''Walrus'' class by an equally capable class of large, expeditionary, diesel-electric submarine, and the other in favor of choosing a cheaper solution of smaller diesel-electrics, similar to Swedish and German submarines. It is unknown where the new boats will be built; since the Dutch RDM shipyard (the only Dutch yard capable of building submarines) is no longer in operation. The ''Defensienota'' (Defense policy for the coming years) of March&nbsp;2018 revealed that the Dutch government is still planning to replace the ''Walrus''-class submarines,<ref name="defensienota2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.defensie.nl/downloads/beleidsnota-s/2018/03/26/defensienota-2018 |title=Defensienota 2018|language=nl |publisher=Dutch Ministry of Defense |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref> with an allocated budget of more than 2.5&nbsp;billion euros for the new submarines. Additional information on how to proceed with the replacement was expected at the end of 2018, when the Dutch Minister of Defence, [[Ank Bijleveld]], was to send a so-called B-letter to the Dutch parliament.<ref name="defensienota2018" />{{update inline|date=September 2020}} Minister Bijleveld also underlined in an interview that the new submarines should have the same niche capabilities as the current ''Walrus''-class submarines: the ability to operate and gather intelligence in both shallow water close to the coast and in deep water in the ocean.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bndestem.nl/politiek/we-gaan-niet-oplappen-we-gaan-vernieuwen~a2327cae/|title=We gaan niet oplappen, we gaan vernieuwen|language=nl |publisher=BNDeStem |date=27 March 2018 |last1=Keultjes |first1=Hanneke |last2=Boere |first2=Raymond |access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref> In mid-2021 it was indicated that a revised plan envisaged taking a replacement decision in 2022 and to have the first vessel in service by 2028, with the first two boats to be in service by 2031.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/june/10233-dutch-navy-walrus-class-submarine-replacement-project-in-progress.html|title = Dutch Navy Walrus-class submarine replacement project in progress| date=June 2021 }}</ref> However, in October 2021 it was reported that this timeline was no longer feasible. Instead, the Dutch Ministry of Defence signalled that the envisaged dates would have to be "substantially adjusted", possibly incorporating a life extension refit for the existing ''Walrus''-class boats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/10/netherlands-walrus-class-submarine-replacement-program-facing-delays/|title=Netherlands' Walrus-Class Submarine Replacement Program Facing Delays|date=31 October 2021}}</ref>

In April 2022 it was announced that two of the ''Walrus''-class boats would be extended in service until the mid-2030s and that in order to do so safely a different maintenance approach would have to be adopted for the entire fleet with one of the four existing boats to be decommissioned in the short-term, followed by a second boat later.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bode |first1=Jessica |last2=Margés |first2=Joost |date=13 April 2022 |title=Langer door met minder boten |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2022/03/03_ozb |magazine=Alle Hens |publisher=Koninklijke Marine |language=Dutch}} </ref> On 16 November 2022 it was revealed that ''Walrus'' would be the first boat to be decommissioned sometime in 2023.<ref name=HNLMS_Walrus_decommissioned_1>{{Cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Onderzeeboot-Walrus-in-2023-uit-dienst-161122.html |title=Onderzeeboot Zr.Ms. Walrus in 2023 uit dienst |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |access-date=22 November 2022 |language=nl}}</ref> ''Walrus'' was decommissioned in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Defensie |first1=Ministerie van |title=Zr.Ms. Walrus na 31 operationele jaren uit dienst gesteld - Nieuwsbericht - Defensie.nl |url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/10/12/zr.ms.-walrus-na-31-operationele-jaren-uit-dienst-gesteld |website=www.defensie.nl |language=nl-NL |date=12 October 2023}}</ref> The revised schedule for the construction of the new replacement boats would likely see the first two vessels entering service in the 2034 to 2037 timeframe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/04/netherlands-to-extend-the-life-of-walrus-class-submarines/ | title=Netherlands to extend the life of Walrus class submarines | date=3 April 2022 }}</ref>

=== Contenders ===
The Ministry of Defence shortlisted three bidders:<ref>{{cite web | url = https://navaltoday.com/2019/12/16/the-netherlands-3-bidders-shortlisted-for-submarine-replacement-program/ | date = 2019-12-16 | title =  The Netherlands: 3 bidders shortlisted for submarine replacement program | work = Naval Today }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/12/17/dutch-walrus-submarine-program-shuffles-forward-but-not-by-much/ | date = 2019-12-17 | title = One bidder out, three remain in Dutch race to replace Walrus subs | first =  Sebastian | last = Sprenger | work = Defense News | publisher = Sightline Media Group }}</ref>
* [[Damen Group]] and [[Saab Group]] announced that they had partnered from 2015 to jointly develop, offer and build next-generation submarines that are able to replace the current ''Walrus''-class submarines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.damen.com/en/news/2015/01/saab_and_damen_team_for_walrus_future_submarine_replacement_programme |title=Saab and Damen Team for Walrus Future Submarine Replacement Programme |work=www.damen.com |date=20 January 2015 | access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref> It was announced on 1&nbsp;June 2018 that their design was to be derived from the [[A26 submarine]].<ref name="DetailsJune2018DamenSaab">{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Details-voorstel-Saab-Damen-nieuwe-Nederlandse-onderzeeboot-010618.html|title=Meer details voorstel nieuwe Nederlandse onderzeeboot van Saab en Damen|work=www.marineschepen.nl |date=5 June 2018 | access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref><ref name="NIDVJune2018DamenSaab11-12">Stichting Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid magazine editie 2-2018 (June 2018), accessed 12 June 2018, pp. 11-12.</ref> The proposed submarine is around {{convert|73|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long with a diameter of {{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. Furthermore, the displacement will be around 2,900 tonnes, with a complement of 34 to 42 personnel. The boat's armament includes 6&nbsp;torpedo tubes and 1&nbsp;multi-mission lock which can be used to deploy special forces.<ref name="DetailsJune2018DamenSaab" />
* [[Naval Group]] announced that it was offering its newest submarine class, the [[French Barracuda-class submarine|Barracuda class]], as replacement for the ''Walrus'' class. A version of the "Shortfin" diesel-electric variant Barracuda class was to be offered, rather than the nuclear variant used by the [[French Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Naval-Group-biedt-Nederland-dieselelektrische-variant-van-nucleaire-barracuda-onderzeeboten-aan-010518.html|title=Franse werf Naval Group wil Nederland dieselelektrische variant van nucleaire onderzeeboot Barracuda aanbieden |work=www.marineschepen.nl |date=1 May 2018 | access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref>
* [[ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems]] was planning to offer a [[Type 212CD submarine|Type 212CD]] submarine.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.janes.com/article/93222/netherlands-downselects-contenders-for-submarine-replacement | title = Netherlands downselects contenders for submarine replacement | first = Nicholas | last = Fiorenza | date = 2019-12-16 | work = Jane's 360}}</ref>

Spain's [[Navantia]]'s [[S-80 Plus-class submarine|S-80]] was not accepted as a contender following the B-letter in 2019.<ref name=navantia_1>{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Navantia-in-tegenaanval-wij-accepteren-redenen-uitschakeling-niet-201219.html |title=Navantia woest: redenen voor uitschakeling "slaan nergens op" |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |date=20 December 2019 |accessdate=22 November 2022 |language=NL}}</ref> In 2022 the [[Ministry of Defence (Spain)|Spanish Ministry of Defence]] sent a letter to the Dutch [[:nl:Defensie Materieel Organisatie|DMO]] for Navantia to be allowed to put in an offer following the announcement that a [[Request for Quotation|RFQ]] will be sent to the remaining contenders, in which some of the requirements had changed. It was rumoured that the request was denied by DMO.<ref name=navantia_2>{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Spanje-heeft-Defensie-gevraagd-of-Navantia-weer-in-aanbesteding-onderzeeboten-mag-171022.html |title=Spanje heeft om terugkeer in race Nederlandse onderzeeboten gevraagd |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |date=17 October 2022 |accessdate=22 November 2022 |language=NL}}</ref>

On 16 November 2022 the RFQ was sent out to the three remaining shipyards. It was expected they would submit their bids around mid-2023.<ref name=HNLMS_Walrus_decommissioned_1/><ref name=RFQ_sent>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/11/netherlands-submarine-replacement-program-rfq-sent-to-3-shipbuilders/ |title=Netherlands' Submarine Replacement Program: RFQ Sent To 3 Shipbuilders |date=16 November 2022 |publisher=Naval News |access-date=22 November 2022 |language=EN}}</ref> In June 2023 it was reported that the three shipyards had to submit their bids by 28 July 2023 at the latest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/june/13238-netherlands-ministry-of-defence-explains-award-process-for-new-submarines.html  |title= Netherlands Ministry of Defence explains award process for new submarines |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=16 June 2023|website=Navy Recognition |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>

=== Winning bid ===
On 15 March 2024 State Secretary for Defence [[Christophe van der Maat]] officially announced that [[Naval Group]] from [[France]] has been selected as the winning bid.<ref name=Orka_class_1>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/materieel/nieuws/2024/03/15/bouw-nieuwe-onderzeeboten-voorlopig-gegund-aan-naval |title=Bouw nieuwe onderzeeboten voorlopig gegund aan Naval |publisher=Dutch Ministry of Defense |date=15 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=nl}}</ref><ref name=Orka_class_2>{{cite web |url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/5440314/nieuwe-onderzeeers-heten-orka-zwaardvis-barracuda-en-tijgerhaai |title=Defensie bevestigt miljardenproject: nieuwe onderzeeërs heten Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda en Tijgerhaai |publisher=RTL Nieuws |date=15 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=nl}}</ref><ref name=Orka_class_3>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/03/the-netherlands-select-naval-group-for-its-new-submarines/ |title=The Netherlands Select Naval Group For Its New Submarines |publisher=Naval News |date=15 March 2024 |accessdate=15 March 2024}}</ref> Prior to this announcement, the winner was already leaked to several media outlets, which caused political backlash for choosing a foreign yard over a Dutch one.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Kamerdebat-onderzeeboten-geen-grote-veranderingen-140324.html |title=Kamerdebat onderzeeboten: zorgen en veel aandacht voor Nederlandse industrie, maar geen ingreep |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |date=14 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |language=nl}}</ref>

The names of the new submarines where also announced by Van der Maat. The class will be known as the {{sclass|Orka|submarine|4}}, with the subs named ''Orka'', ''Zwaardvis'', ''Barracuda'' and ''Tijgerhaai''. The first two will be delivered within ten years after the contract has been signed.<ref name=Orka_class_1/><ref name=Orka_class_2/><ref name=Orka_class_3/>