The Netherlands has selected the French F21 Mk2 heavyweight torpedo to arm its future Orka-class submarines, replacing plans to continue using the US-made Mk48 currently employed by the Walrus fleet. The Dutch Ministry of Defence stated that switching to the newer torpedo was both feasible and operationally advantageous. The decision also reflects closer naval cooperation with France, which already deploys the system. The F21 torpedo, produced by Naval Group, incorporates fiber-optic guidance that enables high-bandwidth communication between the weapon and the launching submarine while improving resistance to electronic disruption. Its electric propulsion system significantly reduces acoustic signature compared with engine-driven torpedoes, improving stealth during underwater engagements. Capable of operating in depths ranging from 10 to 500 meters, the weapon can strike both submarines and surface ships at speeds approaching 50 knots and ranges exceeding 30 nautical miles. The torpedo will equip the Netherlands’ next-generation Orka-class submarines, part of a 4-billion-euro acquisition program designed to replace the aging Walrus-class fleet beginning in 2033.
