Belgium and the Netherlands sign up for BAE Systems’ naval gun
The gun system is also set for the countries’ 12 mine countermeasure ships. (Photo: BAE Systems)
The Bofors 40Mk4, a compact and lightweight naval gun system, has been designed for anti-aircraft and anti-surface warfare operations to act against air, land and sea-based threats.
BAE Systems is to supply eight 40Mk4 naval gun systems for new anti-submarine warfare frigates of the Dutch and Belgian navies.
Each country is taking two ships and each ship will be fitted with two of the guns under the order place by the Dutch Materiel and IT Command.
The contract includes installation, training, documentation, spares and tools with an option for BAE Systems’ 3P programmable ammunition and additional guns for training purposes. The first gun is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The Bofors 40Mk4 is a compact and lightweight naval gun system designed for anti-aircraft and anti-surface warfare operations which can switch between ammunition types based on type of threats.
The programmable 40mm Bofors 3P ammunition provides the naval gun system with the highest possible combat flexibility, as it can be programmed in six different function modes to provide optimised effect.
The contract for the new anti-submarine warfare frigates ships was signed in July last year with deliveries of the vessels expected to take place between 2030 and 3032. Since the contract for the ships was signed, signature contracts have been signed for mission management, navigation bridge and platform management systems, 76mm Sovraponte naval gun systems, MAN 20V28/33D STC marine engines and Scanter 6002 radars.
The ships will replace existing M-class Karel Doorman-class frigates with each countries’ commitment to two frigates estimated at €1.8 billion (US$2.1 billion).
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Red Cat eyes South American market for USV-led EEZ surveillance]()
Eurosatory 2026: Red Cat eyes South American market for USV-led EEZ surveillance
Success with the US Army’s Black Widow programme may have strengthened Red Cat’s international position, but executives believe the next growth opportunity lies in uncrewed surface vessels.
-
![The FDI frigate: a growing success story with more opportunities to come]()
The FDI frigate: a growing success story with more opportunities to come
Designed as a multi-role frigate with both anti-submarine and air defence capabilities, Naval Group’s medium-sized FDI frigate increasingly stands out as a success story in an industry wrought with delays.
-
![US weighs offshore warship production due to industrial limits]()
US weighs offshore warship production due to industrial limits
A Pentagon push to procure warships from Japanese and South Korean shipyards could reshape allied naval industrial strategy, but critics warn the approach risks hollowing out the domestic base Washington is seeking to restore.
-
![Lessons shaping the next phase of Arleigh Burke production post-Flight IIA]()
Lessons shaping the next phase of Arleigh Burke production post-Flight IIA
The accelerated delivery of the final Flight IIA destroyer, USS Patrick Gallagher, showcases the payoff of years of workforce investment and process reform at Bath Iron Works, with the lessons feeding into Flight III production.
