Navantia and Huisman Equipment Sign Memorandum of Understanding

In the framework of the Walrus-class replacement project, Navantia and Huisman Equipment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The companies agreed to investigate the set-up of submarine construction and assembly activities in the Netherlands based on Navantia’s S-80 submarine design.

Navantia is currently building four new S-80 class submarines for the Spanish Navy and has state-of-the-art engineering and management tools to support the construction in other countries such as the Netherlands.

Navantia recognises the expertise available in the Netherlands maritime sector and is dedicated to forming successful industrial partnerships with Dutch industries.

Huisman Equipment has extensive experience in designing and building complex and demanding maritime and offshore systems and its yard in Schiedam is perfectly suited as a location for submarine construction.

Both parties consider their mutual expertise as matching very well and have decided to work out plans in more detail as the first step for a strategic partnership in case Navantia will be selected by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

The Spanish shipbuilder Navantia is a world reference in the design, construction and integration of state-of-the-art warships, as well as ship repairs and modernisation.

It designs and manufactures the Integrated Platform Management, Fire Control, Command and Control systems, as well as Propulsion Plants and through-life support for all of its products. Even though its main line of activity is in the naval field, Navantia designs and manufactures systems for the army and the air force.

Navantia belongs to a corporate holding Grupo SEPI, which is made up of 15 state-owned companies and employs 78,000 professionals. Navantia has a direct majority shareholding participation in the holding.

It also has a foundation and direct minority participation in nine firms and indirect participation in more than one hundred companies.