Safran to provide Sigma 40 for Netherlands Walrus-class submarines

French company Safran Electronics & Defense has been chosen to deliver its integrated inertial navigation system as part of the overhaul of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Walrus-class submarines.

The company was selected following the completion of an international bidding process, and will be responsible for providing the navy with Sigma 40 inertial navigation systems and the associated computers under the deal.

The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) was in charge of the selection process.

In a joint statement, projects procurement officer Danny Pronk and senior naval systems integrator Jaap Hagesteijn, representing the DMO, said: “We chose Safran Electronics & Defense because we have great confidence in their long experience as a supplier of naval equipment.

“Their system’s performance and reliability, as well as customer support, were also decisive factors in our selection.”

According to Safran Electronics & Defense, Sigma 40 is noted to be the world’s best-selling naval inertial navigation system.

More than 40 navies worldwide are currently using Safran-developed inertial systems.

Safran Electronics & Defense Defence Division Sales and Marketing head Jean-Christophe Mugler said: “We are very proud of this selection, which recognises our position as a favoured supplier to Walrus-class submarines.

“We will continue to deliver top-flight service to the DMO, whose selection once again illustrates our outstanding expertise in this field.”

The compact and robust Sigma 40 system provides all data required for navigation, including heading, roll and pitch, angular velocity, position and heave, vertical / horizontal speed, and acceleration.

The inertial navigation unit is compatible for deployment on all types of navy vessels, including fast patrol boats, mine-hunters, corvettes, frigates and aircraft carriers, in addition to submarines.

Sigma 40 features an inertial navigation unit (INU), control and display unit (CDU) and an installation bracket to ensure fast removal and reassembly without the need for recalibration.

The systems are deployed on-board more than 600 vessels worldwide that are currently in service or on order.