The initiation of the ASW planned frigate project by the two countries instead of multipurpose ships is possibly due to the growing Russian submarine threat in the area.

The presence of super-quiet submarines from the Russian Baltic Fleet causes the requisite ASW countermeasures to be taken by the regional countries.

The class of ships will be composed of 2 Belgian and 2 Dutch frigates. The primary role will be detecting and battling submarines. Within the framework of Defense Vision 2035, the frigates are designed to deal with the hazardous environment of the future.

The new anti-submarine warfare tactics and effective self-defense against surface threats will equip the ASW frigates.

To be able to work with a small crew, there is also extensive automation. Discussions are in full swing on the requirements of the systems to be supplied by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and Defense electronics company Thales.

Via the so-called A, B and D stages, the replacement process will take place. The Letter A with the statement of requirements went to the Dutch House of Representatives in 2018. In 2020, the B letter for the study process was released. In the meantime, formal permission is granted to continue with the planning of the acquisition (the D phase).

Maritime Business World