Thales has signed an agreement with Naval Group to supply high-performance sonar systems for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s future class of submarines.
They will equip the Orka-class submarines, which are set to replace the Walrus-class vessels currently in service.
The sonar suite enhances situational awareness by detecting, locating, and classifying underwater threats at various ranges and frequencies.
It includes obstacle-avoidance sonars, an intercept array, and a passive towed-array sonar.
It also features an underwater communication system, an echo sounder, and signal processing racks.
The applications work together to provide a detailed acoustic picture of the underwater environment, improving threat detection capabilities for underwater vessels.
“This partnership will enhance the technological superiority of the Dutch armed forces, and reflects our ongoing commitment to providing innovative, dependable solutions in support of the defense capabilities of allied nations,” said Sébastien Guérémy, VP for Underwater Systems at Thales.
Thales Maritime Systems
Thales’ systems are currently integrated into over 50 submarines, including ballistic missile submarines, nuclear-powered attack submarines, and conventionally-powered attack submarines.
The company also provides maritime mine-hunting systems, navigation systems, sonobuoys, and other advanced technologies to support naval operations worldwide.
In February, the French Navy selected SonoFlash sonobuoys from Thales.
Under the contract, the company will deliver hundreds of sonobuoys with active and passive detection technologies to strengthen the navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The systems enhance the ability to detect, track, and respond to submarine movements over long distances.
