UPDATED: The three boats in the running to be the Netherlands' next submarine
Over the next decade, the Netherlands' submarine force will drop to two boats as the country retires ageing Walrus-class vessels (HNLMS Walrus pictured) and develop a successor class. (Photo: USN)
Three European shipyards remain in contention to build four new submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The Netherlands, on 16 November, requested quotes from three shipbuilders - Saab Kockums, Naval Group and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) - furthering its plans to buy a replacement for its Walrus-class boats.
The three companies are expected to submit bids in the summer of 2023, after which the Dutch MoD will analyse the offerings and select a yard to build the new boats.
The RfQ is a significant step forward for the programme. However, post-contract award, the Netherlands expects it will take around a decade before the first two submarines enter operations.
Two of the four in-service Walrus-class boats
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