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
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