Four Vessels for Delivery From 2029
The Dutch MoD, Damen and Thales signed a contract at the Sail Den Helder maritime festival on 29 June for the design, build and delivery of four ASW frigates – two each for Belgium and the Netherlands.
Intended to replace the current Karel Doorman-class multipurpose vessels, the new frigates will also be capable of undertaking multiple missions, but with an emphasis on ASW, featuring quiet hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and a significant array of submarine detection sensors. “The acquisition of the ASW frigates is taking place in the way I prefer: through intensive cooperation, between countries, armed forces, and industry. In time, the result will be an innovative and powerful weapon system. This will benefit us as direct users, but also Europe and NATO,” commented Dutch State Secretary, Christophe van der Maat.
The 145m, 6,400t frigates, with accommodation for a crew complement of 117, will feature underwater and surface warfare suites and a weapons fit that includes a 76mm gun, Mk54 torpedoes, and Rolling Airframe and Naval Strike Missiles (RAM and NSM). Provision for more powerful missiles and alternatives such as high energy lasers has been made, and the vessels will carry unmanned platforms for the airborne, surface and subsurface environments.
The entire project is a joint operation with the Dutch MoD, with some of the work to be carried out by the Ministry itself. “We have almost 150 years of knowledge, skill, and technology to coordinate and execute the design and construction of complex naval vessels. This is done not only in the Netherlands, but also at our yard in Romania, where the hulls will partly be constructed,” explained Damen Shipyards Group CEO, Arnout Damen. The hulls then come to Vlissingen for further completion, the installation and integration of weapon systems and, ultimately, commissioning of the frigates for deployment to the Belgian and Dutch navies. The first vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2029.
