WASHINGTON -- The Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced the selection of French F21 MK2 heavyweight torpedoes for its four future Orka-class submarines. The announcement marks a significant change in the Orka-class program, given that the MoD’s initial plan was to integrate American-made MK48 torpedoes, which are currently used by the Royal Netherlands Navy aboard the in-service Walrus-class submarines.

In supporting its decision, the Dutch MoD cited rapid technological developments, specifically the threat of manned and unmanned systems equipped with anti-torpedo weapons, and the need to combat these with a high precision advanced heavyweight torpedo such as the F21 MK2. The supplier of this weapon system is the French Naval Group, which also builds the Orka-class submarines. Delivery of the first Orka-class submarine is scheduled for 2033.

The selection of the F21 MK2 torpedo also signifies enhanced cooperation with France, which uses the same weapon system. Sharing knowledge about deployment tactics contributes to the weapon’s effectiveness.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/dutch-mod-selects-f21-mk2-torpedoes-over-mk48-for-future-submarines/

ILE LONGUE, France -- French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the lead boat of the country's next generation of nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) will be named Invincible. The announcement also stated that the submarine is expected to be operational by 2036.

The SNLE-3G (Third Generation Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine) project is planned to succeed the currently in-service Le Triomphant class from the mid 2030s. Four of these submarines are planned. Prime contractor, Naval Group, cut steel for the lead boat, Invincible, in March 2024. The French Navy has plans for a launch in the early 2030s.

The incoming submarine class is larger than the current Le Triomphant class by about 30 ft (10 m) and is believed to displace a total of 15,000+ tons. The SNLE-3G will maintain the Le Triomphant class' 16 ballistic missile silos and four torpedo tubes.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/future-french-ballistic-missile-submarines-will-be-named-invincible-class/
Author: Xavier Vavasseur 

HENDERSON, Australia -- Austal Australia announced the delivery of the tenth and final Evolved Cape class Patrol Boat (ECCPB), ADV Cape Hawke, to the Royal Australian Navy on March 3. The handover ceremony took place at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia and was attended by members of the Australian armed forces and industry partners.

Austal has now delivered 10 of the aluminum monohull patrol boats to the RAN in just over five years. The original contract for six boats was awarded in May 2020. Subsequent awards for two boats each in April 2022 and February 2024 brought the cumulative total to 10.

Austal is also currently fulfilling an order for four additional ECCPB hulls for the Australian Border Force. Two of these boats are under construction at Henderson, while the remaining two have not yet been laid down.

Source: Austal
Associated URL: https://www.austal.com/media-releases/austal-delivers-tenth-evolved-cape-class-patrol-boat-royal-australian-navy