Belgians and Dutch rename future ASW frigate programme
The future Joint Future Surface Combatant for the Belgian Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy has officially been renamed as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF).
Each navy will receive two ASWFs to replace their Karel Doorman-class frigates. Discussions are under way with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and Thales on vessel and equipment specifications.
The frigate replacement programme is being run by Dutch procurement agency DMO in concert with its Belgian counterpart DGMR. They envisage that all four vessels will be in service by 2030, but Shephard Defence Insight notes that limited budgets in both countries translated into sluggish progress on the programme.
Belgium has approved funding of €1 billion ($1.2 billion) for its pair of ships, while the Netherlands is expected to spend about €1.5 billion.
No names have been assigned to the four new vessels, the Belgian MoD noted on 13 January.
The four ASW frigates will include technology for information warfare, ‘the latest anti-submarine warfare techniques and robust self-defence against surface threats’, the MoD added. ‘There is also extensive automation in order to be able to conduct operations with a limited basic crew’.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC [Belgium]
Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (3) [Netherlands]
Joint Future Surface Combatant - FSC (1-2) [Netherlands]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Lockheed Martin strengthens Spanish SPY-7 radar supply chain
The global defence giant chose a Spanish firm for its work on the Bonifaz-class frigate.
-
Oostende mine countermeasures vessel begins sea trials
The first vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM mine-clearing fleet, the Oostende, has begun its sea trials before officially entering service in 2025.
-
US Navy places $312 million contract with Textron Systems for landing craft
Textron’s latest order for Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) follows on from a contract placed in August 2023 for five LCAC.
-
Japan to boost surface fleet with new destroyers and missile ships
Japan is enhancing its naval capabilities with the construction of the 13DDX advanced destroyer and Aegis System Equipped Vessels (AESV), aiming to strengthen its air and missile defence amid increasing security threats, particularly in East Asia.