UPDATED: Damen and Thales to deliver ASW frigates for Belgium and Netherlands
A rendering of Belgium and the Netherlands' future ASW frigates. (Photo: Damen/Thales)
Damen and Thales have signed contracts to design, build, and deliver four new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates for Belgium and the Netherlands.
Under the agreements, Amsterdam and Brussels will receive two ships apiece to replace existing Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigates.
Dutch Defence Minister Christophe van der Maat said: '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.'
The new ASWF ships follow a trend of joint Belgian-Dutch naval procurement. The two countries have also joined forces to procure new mine warfare capabilities under
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration]()
UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
