French defence electronics manufacturer Thales has announced that it has won a major contract to supply sonar and acoustic equipment for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Orka-class submarines. With this contract, Thales aims to strengthen its export opportunities in the submarine sector. In addition, the agreement is seen as a milestone that reinforces Thales’ efforts to gain new markets beyond France, the UK, the US and Australia.
Thales' Strategic Position in the Submarine Program
Emmanuel Michaud, Thales’ Vice President for Submarines and Surface Ships, said the contract was “very important for the company.” Michaud said it was the company’s first major export contract in the underwater market in the last 15 years and would mark the start of a series of long-term contracts. The sonar systems to be supplied to the Royal Netherlands Navy will be derived from those used on Thales’ French Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines. This reflects Thales’ long-standing experience and technological know-how in this field.
Contract Value and Delivery Process
Thales has declined to give a specific figure for the value of the contract, but it is estimated to be worth between €100 million and €1 billion. Michaud touched on the complexity of the delivery process, explaining that the first two submarines are scheduled to be delivered by 2034. “I will be happy in 2034 when everything is delivered,” Michaud said, underlining the challenges and significant requirements of the project.
Thales' Acoustic Sensor Technology
Thales will include “everything that can be fitted to a submarine from an acoustic perspective” in its sonar suite for the Dutch submarines. These sensors include main antennas such as a bow-mounted cylindrical array and side array sonar, as well as mine and obstacle avoidance sonars capable of seabed mapping. Thales is collaborating with Dutch company Optical11 to develop a new generation of linear antennas using optical technology. This technology is expected to further enhance the submarines’ detection capabilities.
Technological Alliance Between France and the Netherlands
The Royal Netherlands Navy is gaining a competitive advantage by benefiting from investments made by the French Ministry of Defense in submarine sonar systems. Thales aims to mature the technology with a feasibility study to be conducted by 2025 to integrate it into Dutch submarines. “This is a very challenging technology, but very promising,” Michaud said, emphasizing that if successful, the technology could also be used in other export opportunities.
Thales' Power in the Global Market
Thales has consolidated its leadership in the sector by equipping around 50 submarines worldwide and having around 50% of the market share in sonar systems. Countries such as France, the UK, Australia, Singapore, Chile and Malaysia are among the reliable customers of Thales’ sonar technology. Thales is increasing its influence in the global defence market by serving a large number of countries, each developing solutions for specific needs.
Strategic Steps for the Future
This new contract with the Royal Netherlands Navy will create significant opportunities for Thales not only in its current submarine projects but also in future export contracts. While Thales continues to be a world leader in sonar, it will further strengthen its strong position in the defense sector with investments in next-generation submarine systems. This cooperation will provide significant long-term national security benefits for both Thales and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
