The Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced that four newly built Orka-class submarines will be equipped with French-made F21 MK2 heavyweight torpedoes during their production phase. With this decision, the strategy of integrating the American MK48 torpedoes—originally planned and currently used in the existing Walrus-class fleet—into the new platforms has been abandoned. The move also marks an important step in the modernization of the Orka-Class Submarine fleet.
Change in Procurement Strategy and Threat Perception
The Ministry of Defence determined that it is technically feasible to accelerate the replacement schedule of the MK48 torpedoes earlier than previously anticipated. In the high-intensity conflict environments where the submarines are expected to operate, adversaries are likely to employ advanced anti-torpedo countermeasures using both manned and unmanned systems. To respond to these threats with high precision, the procurement of the F21 MK2 system—produced by the submarines’ main contractor, Naval Group—is being pursued. Once equipped with this advanced technology, the operational effectiveness of submarines belonging to the Orka-Class will increase significantly.
Technical Capabilities of the F21 MK2 System
The F21 MK2 heavyweight torpedo system features a high-performance propulsion system powered by an electric motor using silver-oxide aluminum (AgO-Al) battery technology. This technical infrastructure allows the munition to reach a maximum speed of over 50 knots (approximately 93 km/h) and operate at ranges exceeding 50 kilometers. On the guidance side, the system uses an advanced acoustic seeker compatible with both deep and shallow water conditions, along with a fiber-optic cable providing two-way data transmission. In addition, the fact that Naval Group serves as the main contractor for both the submarine platform and the weapon system enables full integration between the systems. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Orka-Class Submarine platforms will represent the most advanced models in the Royal Netherlands Navy after these torpedo upgrades.
Strategic Cooperation and Delivery Timeline
France maintains the same weapon system in its inventory as both a European Union and NATO ally. The Netherlands notes that this partnership will provide advantages in terms of operational tactics and logistical knowledge sharing. According to the project schedule, the first of the next-generation submarines from the Orka-Class is planned to be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Navy starting in 2033. Therefore, the Orka-Class Submarine’s integration and delivery process stands out as a prime example of effective European defense industry collaboration.
Source: C4Defence– The Dutch Ministry of Defence
