The FVD was now disappointed that the Netherlands had chosen French submarines instead of Russian ones

Photo: Kuleshov Oleg / Shutterstock.com

The HagueThe Forum for Democracy asked parliamentary questions about the Dutch request for four expensive French submarines. Party leader Thierry Baudet wants to know why the Netherlands did not choose the more advanced boats from the Russian company Sevmash.

The French company Naval received an order from the Dutch government this week to build four new submarines. This concerns a request of at least 4 to 6 billion euros. The selection of French submarines contradicts the position of the Forum for Democracy. Party leader Thierry Baudet wants the order to continue going to the Russian shipbuilder Sevmash.

“Russian Borei-class submarines are much more advanced than French ships. In addition, the prices of Russian submarines are more attractive. The Netherlands could have bought four Borei-class submarines for the equivalent of 2.8 billion euros. A lot of money, but Much cheaper than the $4 billion to $6 billion for the French boats.“Why does the Netherlands still choose to deal with the French,” says Baudet. “It's a complete mystery to me.”

Baudet does not expect this to be at the expense of his relationship with the Russians, which, according to the leader of the Freedom and Democracy Party, remains excellent.