Dutch trim back missile radar upgrade for air warfare frigates
The four RNLN De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates are all currently armed with ESSM Block 1. (Photo: Dutch MoD)
Only half of the four De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence and command frigates in the Royal Netherlands Navy will receive an important radar upgrade by 2028.
Only two of the four De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence and command frigates in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) will be fitted with a new Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) for RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 missiles from 2028, the Dutch MoD has admitted.
The original plan in 2018 was to equip all the frigates in this class with ESSM Block 2, but State Secretary for Defence Christophe van der Maat told the Dutch parliament on 29 April that the APAR is currently in development and is not expected to enter service until 2027.
The Dutch MoD found that it would be ‘considerably more expensive’ for Thales Nederland to install the radar on all four frigates than it was calculated in 2018. The vessels are all currently armed with ESSM Block 1.
By purchasing two APARs instead of four, fewer ESSM Block 2 missiles are required, so total revised costs for the Dutch MoD will be between €250 million and €1 billion.
Each of the upgraded De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates will be replaced from 2034.
The new version of the APAR is in development to enter service in 2027, initially for a pair of new RNLN anti-submarine warfare frigates (being jointly procured with Belgium) that will replace the Karel Doorman-class (M-class) frigates.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies]()
US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies
The programme’s structure as a marketplace will allow multiple companies to compete for ongoing procurements; an approach which could be replicated across the Atlantic.
-
![UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare]()
UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare
With a revised Defence Investment Plan on the way ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit on 7-8 July, the UK government has begun to reveal more details of how its future naval fleet could look.
-
![Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress]()
Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress
Lawmakers question the US Navy’s proposed $2 billion investment in the Trump-class battleship as concerns over cost, technology maturity and operational relevance fuel growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
