Thales to Equip Dutch Orka-Class Submarines with Advanced Sonar Technology

Thales has been selected to supply an advanced sonar suite for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s future Orka-class submarines, reinforcing the country’s maritime defense capabilities. This contract, awarded as part of the Replacement Netherlands Submarine Capability (RNSC) program, is a significant step in enhancing the Dutch Navy’s underwater warfare strength.

The Orka-class submarines will be equipped with Thales' state-of-the-art sonar technology, designed to detect, track, and classify underwater threats with high precision. Modern naval warfare demands cutting-edge acoustic superiority, especially as adversary submarines become increasingly silent. The Thales sonar suite will provide an extensive underwater situational awareness network, ensuring the Dutch Navy maintains a strategic edge in undersea operations.

The sonar package includes multiple high-performance acoustic sensors, such as bow, flank, and obstacle-avoidance sonars. Additionally, the system will integrate an intercept array, passive towed-array sonar, underwater voice communication system, and signal processing racks, allowing for long-range threat detection across various frequencies.

Naval Group, which is leading the Orka-class submarine development, emphasized that Thales' sonar technology was a crucial factor in its winning proposal for the RNSC program. According to Sylvain Perrier, Programme Director at Naval Group, this collaboration will ensure the acoustic superiority of the new submarines while strengthening Dutch industry partnerships.

The deal also aligns with the Netherlands’ defense policy of supporting domestic industries involved in naval technology. Thales has partnered with Dutch firm Optics11 to integrate OptiArray technology into the passive towed-array sonar, further bolstering the country’s indigenous defense capabilities.

Sébastien Guérémy, Vice President of Underwater Systems at Thales, expressed confidence in the company’s sonar technology, stating that it would provide the Royal Netherlands Navy with unparalleled underwater surveillance and defense capabilities. With Thales’ expertise in underwater warfare systems—already deployed on more than 50 submarines worldwide—the Orka-class submarines will be among the most advanced in Europe, ensuring their effectiveness in complex maritime environments.