FN Herstal to arm new Belgian and Dutch MCM vessels
Twelve new ships to be equipped with Sea deFNder RWS
Naval Group and Kership (a JV between Naval Group and Piriou) have selected FN Herstal as a strategic supplier for the joint Belgian-Dutch MCM programme.
In addition, Anglo Belgian Corporation is to provide engines and generator sets for the new ships.
FN Herstal will provide its Sea deFNder .50 calibre RWS with 12.7mm FN M2HB-QCB machine guns.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that additional armament on the new MCM vessels includes a 40mm main gun (the BAE Systems Bofors 40Mk4).
A total of 12 new MCM vessels are being built by Kership for Naval Group, to replace the ageing Tripartite-class ships which are due to retire from service in 2023.
The programme is a joint Dutch-Belgian procurement. It was awarded to Belgium Naval Robotics (BNR), a French led consortium comprising Naval Group and ECA Group.
Six vessels each will go to the Belgian and Dutch navies, with the first expected to be delivered in 2024.
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