The Politics and DV Engineering working group analyses current political developments in the defence sector. It provides independent facts and interpretation from the technological knowledge and experience of engineers.
The Politics and DV engineering working group has the following recommendations for the replacement of the Dutch Walrus class submarines. The comments have been prepared based on publicly available information and defence technology knowledge and experience.
Following the recent debates in the Permanent Committee on Defence in the House of Representatives, the working group has drafted the 11 recommendations below against which the soon-to-be-expected DMP-B for the replacement of the submarines can be assessed. The complete text and explanations can be found via this link.
Recommendations submarine replacement
1. Quality of main and subcontractors.
Quality testing on site at the main contractor and subcontractors is not only common, but also necessary when purchasing unique products and small series.
2. Apply technology that is advanced upon delivery.
Buying off the shelf innovative products that will not be in use for 10 years is a recipe for disappointment. In Dutch naval construction, therefore, a lot of experience has been built up precisely in order to be well attuned to the latest developments and introduce them just-in-time.
3. Budget for advanced technology development.
Allow for 20% of the total project or assignment budget for the development of new technologies.
4. Spin-off of technology development to society.
Encourage (or require) spin-off of technology developed at taxpayers' expense.
5. Shorten intended useful life through mid-life sales.
A new military capability becomes truly obsolete 30 or 40 years after delivery. Mid-life upgrades have limited impact and are relatively costly. Due to the unique capabilities of Dutch naval construction, replacement after half-life is militarily more effective and financially-economically feasible. Include this concept in the DMP-B, C and D.
6. Cultural differences between client and main contractor.
Misunderstanding is a major source of annoyance during contract execution and can lead to misunderstandings and therefore additional costs and delays. As a client, investigate the cultural differences with candidate main and subcontractors and include the quantified result when determining the risk in supplier selection.
7. Deploy and preserve Dutch naval construction knowledge.
Dutch naval construction knowledge and expertise should not be lost. Our country is a global leader in this technology area. Especially on the technically most complex subject of system integration, the Netherlands can beat European competitors. Also where submarines are concerned.
9. Industrial participation.
The current industrial participation policy leads to employment, but not to the preservation and growth of scientific knowledge in the Netherlands. Not even if submarines are partly built in the Netherlands under the direction of a foreign main contractor.
10. Energy transition.
eduring the lifetime of the submarines, the availability of fossil fuels will gradually decrease. During development and construction, submarines must be prepared for innovations in energy supply and propulsion.
11. Arctic conditions.
Future submarines should be suitable for operation in the Arctic Ocean.
The full text of the 11 recommendations and explanatory notes can be found via this link.
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The Hague, 13 May 2019
More information on the Politics and Defence Technology Working Group can be found via this link.
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Disclaimer: The facts and opinions given are based on open sources and on the knowledge and experience of working group members.
As part of the professional association KIVI, the working group is independent of political parties, governments and companies.
This is not an official position of KIVI. The association accepts no liability for anything put forward by the working group or its members.
Photo: Media Centre Defence
