The Royal Netherlands Navy has decided to arm its upcoming Orka-class submarines with the French-developed F21 Mk2 heavyweight torpedo, replacing earlier plans to reuse the US-built Mk48 torpedoes currently deployed on Walrus-class submarines. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the decision followed a review concluding that adopting a newer torpedo system would better meet operational requirements. The move also strengthens defense cooperation with France, which operates the same weapon. Developed by Naval Group and introduced in 2019, the F21 uses fiber-optic wire guidance, providing greater data transmission capacity and improved resistance to interference compared with older copper-wire systems. Powered by an electric propulsion system, the torpedo generates significantly less acoustic noise than traditional combustion-engine designs. Weighing approximately 1.5 tons, the weapon can engage both surface vessels and submarines in deep-water and littoral environments. It can travel at speeds up to 50 knots and has a range of around 31 nautical miles. The torpedo will equip the Netherlands’ four new Orka-class submarines ordered in 2024 under a 4-billion-euro modernization program.
