The Royal Netherlands Navy has decided to arm its future Orka-class submarine fleet with the French F21 Mk2 torpedo, replacing earlier plans to reuse the US-made Mk48 torpedo currently deployed on the Walrus-class submarine.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the decision followed an evaluation showing that replacing the Mk48 earlier than planned was achievable. The move also reflects growing defense cooperation with France, which already operates the same torpedo system, enabling closer technical collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Introduced in 2019 and developed by Naval Group, the F21 Mk2 uses fiber-optic wire guidance, offering higher data transmission capacity and greater resistance to interference compared with the Mk48’s copper-wire link. The torpedo is powered by an electric propulsion system, resulting in a much lower acoustic signature than the combustion-engine-powered Mk48.
Weighing around 1.5 tons, the torpedo is designed to engage both surface ships and submarines in deep-water and littoral environments. It can reach speeds of up to 50 knots (93 kilometers/58 miles per hour) and features onboard intelligence that allows it to maneuver effectively in complex underwater conditions. The weapon has a maximum range of 31 nautical miles (57 kilometers/35 miles) and can operate at depths between 10 and 500 meters (33 to 1,630 feet).
The Netherlands ordered four Orka-class submarines in 2024 under a program worth roughly 4 billion euros ($4.65 billion) to replace its aging Walrus-class fleet. The first vessel is expected to enter service in 2033. Derived from the Barracuda-class submarine family developed by Naval Group, the Orka program marks the first Dutch submarine initiative to be constructed at a foreign shipyard.
The diesel-electric submarines will have a displacement of around 3,300 tons, with a length of 82 meters (269 feet) and a beam of 8.2 meters (27 feet). In addition to heavyweight torpedoes, the vessels will also carry land-attack cruise missiles.
