German shipbuilder disputes award of submarine deal to France

NOS News•today, 09:26

The German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has initiated summary proceedings against the Dutch Ministry of Defense. The German company objects to the ministry’s decision to award the construction of four submarines to the French state-owned company Naval.

State Secretary Van der Maat confirms a report from De Telegraaf in a letter to the House of Representatives.

The cabinet announced the decision on the construction of the submarines last month. This concerns an order of 4 to 6 billion euros. The three companies competing for the order had 15 days to respond to it. At their request, that period was extended to almost a month.

In addition to TKMS, the combination of the Dutch company Damen Shipyards and the Swedish Saab also missed the contract. According to the Ministry of Defense, they accept the decision.

Van der Maat says he is studying the summons from TKMS. Until then, the contract with Naval will not be signed.

It is not yet known when the summary proceedings will take place, but the ministry does not expect the summary proceedings to have any influence on the planning of the construction of the submarines.