Netherlands Plans Four Next-Gen Air-Defense Frigates Worth €3.5 Billion

Defense News ,Netherland :-  The Netherlands is set to revolutionize its naval capabilities with a significant investment exceeding €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) in the procurement of four advanced air-defense frigates, announced Dutch State Secretary of Defense Christophe van der Maat in a letter to parliament on Friday.

The Dutch Defence Ministry is partnering with local shipbuilder Damen Naval for the naval platform and is collaborating with Thales for the above-water warfare system, pending final agreements with both companies. The new vessels are intended to replace the aging Zeven Provinciën-class frigates, which entered service between 2002 and 2005 and are scheduled to be phased out one by one, with the initial new frigate expected to be operational by 2036.

The decision to replace the current frigates is driven by the impending end of their operational lifespan in the next decade, coupled with the need for modernizing armaments to counter emerging threats, including hypersonic anti-ship missiles and the proliferation of drones, as outlined by the ministry. The projects to renew the frigates and upgrade their anti-air missiles will be integrated for a comprehensive overhaul.

While engaging in discussions with European partners such as Denmark, Germany, and Norway for potential collaboration on frigate replacement projects, the Netherlands has yet to formalize any agreements. The envisioned cooperation could involve joint development, construction, purchasing, training, and maintenance.

Van der Maat emphasized the Netherlands' leadership in the frigate replacement initiative while expressing openness to other countries joining the effort. The delivery schedule anticipates the first frigate arriving no later than 2034, with the entire fleet operational by 2041, extending the current fleet's service life by two years beyond the initial plan.

The requirements for the new frigates are outlined in Van der Maat's letter to parliament, with budget discussions and project approval requests scheduled in the coming years. The Netherlands plans to repurpose some equipment from existing frigates for the modernization, including Active Phased Array Radars and 127mm cannons, with the radar and fire control system from anti-submarine warfare frigates adapted for the air-defense vessels.

The replacement frigates will feature layered air defense capabilities, with a preference for missiles from the same manufacturer covering various ranges. They will also be equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missile, enabling long-range attacks on significant inland targets.

This ambitious frigate replacement initiative represents the ministry's most substantial maritime project, allocating over €2.5 billion for vessel construction and an additional €1 billion to €2.5 billion for weapon systems. The budget assumes that the bare hull may be constructed outside the Netherlands, fostering potential industrial cooperation in Europe, as seen in the case of new anti-submarine warfare frigates. The new frigates will incorporate defense against hypersonic weapons, a development not covered by the current budget, with the Netherlands participating in the Hypersonic Defence Interceptor Study project led by MBDA, a pan-European missile manufacturer. The defense ministry anticipates that this comprehensive naval upgrade will significantly enhance Dutch maritime capabilities and contribute to European strategic autonomy while providing a considerable boost to the Dutch defense industry.