Netherlands and Naval Group signed the contract on 16 June 2026. Credit: Naval Group.

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has formalised an agreement with Naval Group for the supply of F21 heavyweight torpedoes to its future Orka-class submarines.

The contract was signed on 16 June 2026 by vice admiral Jan Willem Hartman, representing the ministry’s COMMIT programme, and officials from Naval Group.

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With the procurement, the Royal Netherlands Navy will become the first submarine fleet operating within NATO to deploy the F21, according to the statement issued by the French defence contractor.

The F21 heavyweight torpedo, primarily developed to replace the F17 mod2 torpedo on board the French Navy’s submarine fleet, is designed to counter both surface ships and submarines.

The 5.7-metre torpedo, which has an overall weight of 1,300kg, carries a B2211D warhead weighing up to 250kg. It is designed to engage targets at speeds of over 50 knots and ranges reaching 50km.

To manage the firing process, the F21 uses the MIGAL fire control system. This serves as the link between the torpedo and the submarine’s combat information centre, providing operators with control during both live operations and training scenarios.

In addition, the F21 is wire-guided with autonomous guidance features, allowing for fire-and-forget operation. It can be deployed in both deep-ocean and coastal environments and includes two counter-rotating propellers.

Currently, the torpedo is in operational use with France’s nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines, as well as in Brazil’s Scorpene-class vessels.

According to the manufacturer, F21 can also be installed on other submarine platforms, including those selected for modernisation programmes.

Naval Group chairman and CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said: “We are honoured for the selection of the F21 torpedo as one of the weapons of reference for the Orka-class submarines. With this contract, we further deepen our strategic partnership and we look forward to the next phases of our cooperation.”

Naval Group is building four Orka-class submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy under a contract signed in 2024.

The submarines are intended to replace the legacy Walrus class fleet.