Netherlands Drops Plans to Arm Submarines with Tomahawk Missiles Over High Costs

In a significant shift in its naval strategy, the Netherlands has officially decided not to equip its submarines with American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles. The decision, revealed in the latest annual Defence Project Overview report, comes after the Ministry of Defence found that restarting production of the submarine-launched variant of the Tomahawk would involve excessive financial and time-related burdens.

Why the Plan Was Abandoned

The Royal Netherlands Navy had originally intended to purchase the UGM-109E Tomahawk — a torpedo tube-launched (TTL) variant of the famous cruise missile — for both its existing Walrus-class submarines and its upcoming Orka-class boats, expected to enter service in the mid-2030s.

However, the submarine-launched version of the Tomahawk, specifically the Block IV variant, has not been produced for several years. Raytheon, the missile’s manufacturer, would need to restart its production line, which was found to be both time-consuming and extremely costly. Dutch officials tried to gather interest from other countries to share the cost of restarting production through a bulk purchase, but no international partners committed to the plan.

Faced with high financial risks and extended delivery times, the Dutch Ministry of Defence ultimately chose to withdraw from integrating the Tomahawk into its submarines.

What Happens to the Surface Fleet?

While submarine plans have been dropped, the Netherlands will continue its program to arm its surface warships with the RGM-109E vertical-launch version of the Tomahawk. This includes fitting the missile to the Royal Netherlands Navy’s De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence frigates and future new-generation air defence ships. In fact, a successful test launch of a Tomahawk Block IV missile was already carried out by the frigate HNLMS De Ruyter in March 2025.

Tomahawk Missile Specifications (Block V / Block IV)

To understand what the Netherlands was considering, here’s a look at the specifications of the Tomahawk cruise missile:

• Type: Long-range, subsonic, land-attack cruise missile

• Manufacturer: Raytheon Missiles & Defense

• Range: Approximately 1,600 km (Block IV), with Block V offering similar range but with upgraded navigation and communication systems

• Speed: 885 km/h (Mach 0.74)

• Warhead: 450 kg high-explosive or submunition payload

• Guidance: GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation), TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching), DSMAC (Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation)

• Launch Platforms:

  • RGM-109E: Vertical launch from ships

  • UGM-109E: Torpedo tube launch from submarines (now out of production)

What Could Replace It?

A strong alternative being considered is the MBDA Naval Cruise Missile (MdCN). This French-built missile is already in service aboard France’s Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines (Barracuda-class) — a relevant connection since the Dutch Orka-class submarines are being developed based on the Suffren design by Naval Group of France.

The MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) offers similar land-attack capabilities, designed specifically for integration into submarines via torpedo tubes and vertical launch systems. It provides the deep-strike capability that the Dutch Navy requires for modern naval operations, without the prohibitive costs associated with restarting Tomahawk TTL production.

MdCN Specifications:

• Range: Estimated over 1,000 km

• Speed: Subsonic

• Warhead: 300 kg high-explosive

• Launch Platforms: Torpedo tubes (submarines), vertical launchers (surface ships)

• Guidance: GPS/INS with terminal guidance for high accuracy

Final Word

The Netherlands’ decision reflects the practical challenges of reviving outdated weapons systems and highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in defense procurement. While the Tomahawk remains a proven and powerful missile, the high costs and lengthy timelines of restarting its submarine-launched variant made it an impractical option for the Dutch Navy.

Now, with eyes likely set on the MdCN and possibly other European-made cruise missiles, the Netherlands is adjusting its defense strategy while continuing to modernize both its surface fleet and its future submarines for deep-strike capabilities in a rapidly changing global security environment.