Netherlands Defense Paves the Way: New Contract Secured for Next-Gen F21 Heavyweight Torpedoes
On June 16, 2026, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, represented by Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman from COMMIT, officially signed a contract with Naval Group for the acquisition of state-of-the-art F21 heavyweight torpedoes. These advanced torpedoes will equip the Orka-class submarines, making the Royal Netherlands Navy the first NATO SSK fleet to utilize the F21.
“We are privileged that the F21 torpedo has been chosen as a key weapon system for the Orka-class submarines,” stated Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group. “This contract further solidifies our strategic partnership, and we eagerly anticipate the subsequent phases of our collaboration.”
Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of COMMIT, commented, “The execution of this contract for the F21 torpedo is a significant milestone in our strategic partnership. Integrating this advanced weapon system into the future Orka-class submarines will significantly enhance the Royal Netherlands Navy’s operational capabilities. We look forward to deepening our cooperation.”
F21: A Torpedo Ensuring Tactical Superiority
The F21 torpedo was qualified in 2019 and is actively used by the French Navy’s SSNs and SSBNs, as well as the Brazilian Navy’s SSKs. Recognized as the flagship of Naval Group’s submarine offerings, the F21 can also be integrated into other submarines, especially for modernization efforts.
Naval Group remains dedicated to empowering navies to operate and maintain their torpedoes independently. This includes providing necessary crew training, simulators, and insights gathered from live-fire exercises.
Furthermore, Naval Group is committed to engaging Dutch industries and knowledge centers throughout this new phase of the Orka program.
