ThyssenKrupp, Navantia Dropped from Netherlands Submarine Purchase Bid

The Dutch government has dropped German shipbuilder- ThyssenKrupp and Spanish Navantia in its bid to purchase new submarines for the Royal Netherlands navy.

The government is expected to take a decision next Friday about the purchase. The Swedish-Dutch combination, Saab-Damen and the French Naval Group are the only competitors left, Noordhollandsdagblad reported quoting unnamed sources as saying last week.

"In the middle of last year the talks suddenly stopped," says Holger Isbrecht of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. "The Netherlands then came up with a new Defense Industry Strategy, in which there was a great deal of effort to protect the Dutch maritime industry."

For the German yard this was the signal for an offensive towards Den Helder. Topman Rolf Wirtz came to the Helderse town hall with Isbrecht in October to explain to the Mayor Schuiling and port alderman Visser what the German plans were.

During a press conference in The Hague, Isbrecht announced last week that ThyssenKrupp wants to build the boats in Den Helder and that there are about 2000 jobs involved.

"There are concerns about the German partner at the ministries of defense and economic affairs", says a person who is not authorized to come out on this subject. ,, It is a project for the long term, thirty to forty years. The government would prefer to work with a trusted partner. "

In addition, it is clear from navy circles that submarine 212CD from ThyssenKrupp does not meet the requirements. Holger Isbrecht denied saying, "We are flexible and want to meet all the requirements."

According to the German shipyard, the functionality of their boats has been proven and that has to be proven with Saab-Damen.