Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)

Last updated
Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine) artist view (cropped).jpg
Artist impression of the ASWF
Class overview
NameAnti-Submarine Warfare Frigate
Builders
Operators
Preceded by Karel Doorman-class frigate
Cost€4 billion for 4 ships (as of April 2023) [1]
Built2020–2030s
Planned
  • Dutch Navy: 4
  • Belgian Navy: 2
Completed0
General characteristics [2]
Displacement6.650 tons [3]
Length145 m (475 ft 9 in)
Beam18 m (59 ft 1 in)
Draught5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
Installed power32 MW (43,000 hp)
Propulsion
Complement117 (plus space for additional 40) [8]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Systems
    • TNO UWWS (Under Water Warfare System)
    • Thales AWWS (Above Water Warfare System) fire control cluster [9]
  • Sonars: (not yet selected) [10]
    • Bow sonar
    • Towed array sonar
    • mine / obstacle avoidance
  • Radars: [9]
    • Thales APAR block 2.0, X-band multifunctional radar
    • Thales SM400 block 2, (E-band - F band (NATO)) multifunctional radar
    • Thales PHAROS multi-target tracking radar
    • Thales Scout Mk3 low-detectability naval surveillance radar
    • Terma SCANTER 6002 naval surveillance radars [11]
  • Electro-optical sensors: [9]
    • Thales Mirador Mk2 (fire control)
    • Thales Gatekeeper Mk2 (observation)
  • Communications:
  • Navigation:
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Systems to be installed: [10]
    • Soft-kill torpedo countermeasures system
  • Future systems planned:
    • Hard-kill anti-torpedo torpedo system
Armament
Aircraft carried

The Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) is a project of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN, Dutch: Koninklijke Marine) and Belgian Navy to replace the existing Multipurpose- or M-frigates. [18] The project shows similarities to the British Global Combat Ship (also formerly named FSC program) but development is fully separate.

Contents

Context

The current M-frigates, originally all built in the Netherlands but apart from two units sold to Belgium, Portugal, and Chile are reaching their planned retirement age around 2020. However, due to extensive budget cuts over the past decades and other large materiel programs such as the acquisition of the F-35 for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Dutch Ministry of Defense currently does not have enough funds available to start building the ships. [19] Therefore, lifespan of the current vessels has been extended until 2025. Keeping the ships any longer will cause problems with NATO and related tasks because the ships weapons suite is outdated and not up to current standards. For example: the M-frigates only carry 16 surface-to-air missiles in the form of the outdated NATO Sea Sparrow (RIM-7). Onboard modern ships the Evolved Sea Sparrow (Block 2 in development) does the job, but those do not fit in the also outdated Mk48 VLS cells on board the M-frigates. Apart from these, the M-frigates only have a single Goalkeeper system for CIWS. Offensive capabilities are limited to obsolete RGM-84 Harpoon missiles. The 76mm cannon is not fit for modern semi-guided munitions like DART, Davide/STRALES, or VULCANO. [20]

Additionally; the RNLN searched for European partners to build the ships with and cut costs, and in January 2017 reached an agreement with the Belgian Marine Component to build a total of four ships together. [21] This number could be adjusted later on during next phases of the acquisition process. With a total of four and two for the RNLN the current two M-frigates are to be replaced by an equal number. There are concerns about whether that number is enough to meet current and near future challenges, since it often happens the RNLN has no ships available to only fulfill the most basic of its duties (like supporting foreign navy ships along the Dutch coast). [22] The costs for the 4 ships are currently estimated at 1.50-2.50 billion euro's for the two Dutch frigates and 1 billion euro's for the two Belgian frigates. [18] Originally it had been hoped that the first frigate would be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 2024, while the first frigate for the Belgian Navy was to be delivered in 2027. [23] However, as of 2020, the in-service date for the two Dutch frigates had slipped to 2028-29 with the Belgian frigates following immediately thereafter. [24] In March 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that it expected to deploy the first frigate in 2029, with Belgium deploying their first in 2030. The other two remaining frigates would be deployed in the following years. [25]

A final agreement for the four ships was signed on 22 June 2023 by Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren and her Belgian counterpart Ludivine Dedonder. [26]

On 5 September 2024, the Dutch Ministry of Defense released the 2024 Defense Memorandum which sees the Royal Netherlands Navy receiving 2 additional frigates, bringing the total order to 4 frigates for the Dutch navy and 6 in total. [27] [28]

Design

Armament

The ASWF frigates are equipped with a 76mm Sovraponte as primary naval gun. [29] [30] [31] This naval gun is capable of firing DART munition. [32] Besides the Sovraponte gun, each frigate will also be equipped with two Bofors 40 Mk4 as secondary naval guns. [31] [33] When it comes to missiles, the frigates will be armed with a RIM-116 RAM. [34] Furthermore, the ships will be equipped with two 4 canister NSM launchers and two 8-cell Mk 41 strike-length VLS that are capable of launching a total of 64 ESSM Block 2 missiles in a quad-pack configuration. [35] In addition, the ASWF is armed with a torpedo system that is capable of launching the Mk 54 torpedo. [36] [37] There is also room for future growth, such as potentially arming the frigates with anti-torpedo torpedoes and laser weapons. [38]

Unmanned systems

In April 2024 it was reported that the Dutch Ministry of Defence together with Dutch Naval Design (DND) will develop an unmanned surface vessel (USV) that will be deployed from the ASWFs. [39] [40] The USV will be around 12 meters long and focus on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). [41] It is expected to have an active dipping sonar and a minimum endurance of at least 96 hours. [42] The vessel will be carried in the mission bay of the ASWF and be launched and recovered via a cradle-type system. [42]

Construction

The hulls will be partially manufactured in Romania, at Damen's shipyard in Galati. It will be fitted with its system at the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding facility.

List of ships

Pennant no. NameBuilder Laid down Launched Commissioned StatusNotes
Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg  Royal Netherlands Navy (2 ordered + 2 planned)
TBATBA Damen Shipyards Galați (Hull)
Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Fitting out)		2025 (planned)-September 2029 (planned)Ordered
TBATBA--April 2031 (planned)Ordered [26]
TBATBA---Planned [27]
TBATBA---Planned [27]
Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg  Belgian Navy (2 ordered)
TBATBA Damen Shipyards Galați (Hull)
Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Fitting out)		2025 (planned)-August 2030 (planned)Ordered [26]
TBATBA--2032 (planned)Ordered [26]

Export

Norway

The ASWF was one of the eleven competitors in the Norwegian future frigate program. [43] [44] This program would determine which frigate design would be used to replace the Fridtjof Nansen class. [45] In November 2024 the ASWF was not selected when the competition was narrowed to four competitors. [46] [47]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Royal Netherlands Navy is the maritime service branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. It was founded on 8 January 1488, making it the third-oldest naval force in the world.

HNLMS <i>Karel Doorman</i> (R81) Colossus class aircraft carrier

HNLMS Karel Doorman (R81) was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Formerly the British ship HMS Venerable, she was sold to the Netherlands in 1948 as a light attack carrier. In 1960, she was involved in the decolonization conflict in Western New Guinea with Indonesia. In the mid 1960s, her role was changed to anti-submarine warfare carrier and only ASW aircraft and helicopters were carried. An engine room fire took her out of service in 1968. She was sold to Argentina in 1969 and renamed ARA Veinticinco de Mayo.

<i>Karel Doorman</i>-class frigate Ship class

The Karel Doorman-class frigates are a series of eight multi-purpose vessels built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Its namesake is Karel Doorman, a Dutch naval officer whose ship was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the Battle of the Java Sea in 1942, and went down with his ship as a result.

<i>Walrus</i>-class submarine Attack submarine class of the Royal Netherlands Navy

The Walrus-class submarine is the only submarine class currently in operation in the Royal Netherlands Navy. The boats have been in service since 1990 and are all named after sea mammals.

<i>De Zeven Provinciën</i>-class frigate Dutch air-defence and command frigates

The four De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates are air-defence and command frigates in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy. This class of ships is also known as "LCF". The ships are similar to the German Sachsen-class frigates in role and mission.

<i>Holland</i>-class offshore patrol vessel Four ocean-going patrol vessels constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy

The Holland-class ocean-going patrol vessels are a class of four ocean-going patrol vessels constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy. They are designed to fulfill patrol and intervention tasks against lightly armed opponents, such as pirates and smugglers, but have much higher level electronic and radar surveillance capabilities which are used for military stabilization and security roles, short of outright war. Without sonar or long range weapons, they utilize the surveillance capabilities of the Thales integrated mast, which integrates communication systems and two four-faced phased arrays for air and surface search.

HNLMS <i>Karel Doorman</i> (A833) Multi-function support ship

HNLMS Karel Doorman is a multi-function support ship for amphibious operations of the Royal Netherlands Navy, which is also used by the German Navy. The ship replaced both of the navy's replenishment oilers: HNLMS Zuiderkruis and HNLMS Amsterdam. At 204.7 m she is the largest ship in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy.

HNLMS <i>Rotterdam</i> (L800) Landing Platform Dock

HNLMS Rotterdam is the lead ship in the Rotterdam-class landing platform dock of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship is named after the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

HNLMS <i>Johan de Witt</i> Dutch Landing Platform Dock

HNLMS Johan de Witt is the second Rotterdam-class landing platform dock of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is an improved design of Rotterdam, which was designed in conjunction between the Netherlands and Spain. The ship, displacing 16,800 tons, was launched on 13 May 2006. The motto of the ship is Ago Quod Ago, translated as I do what I do.

<i>Alkmaar</i>-class minehunter Ship class of the Dutch navy

The Alkmaar class is a ship class of fifteen minehunters that were built in the Netherlands for the Royal Netherlands Navy. They are based on the design of the Tripartite class, which was developed by a collaborative effort between the Netherlands, Belgium and France, and replaced the minesweepers and minehunters of the Dokkum class.

HNLMS <i>Dolfijn</i> (1990) Submarine

HNLMS Dolfijn (S808) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1993 as the third submarine of the Walrus class, after HNLMS Walrus and HNLMS Zeeleeuw. Dolfijn has been deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. Furthermore, the submarine plays an important role by performing intelligence operations.

Roofdier-class frigate Ship class

The Roofdier class was a class of six frigates that were built in the United States as Patrol Craft Escorts (PCE) for the Netherlands. The frigates were loaned to the Royal Netherlands Navy as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act (MDAP) and from 1954 to 1984 served as the Roofdier-class frigates.

F126 frigate Planned class of German Navy frigates

F126 or Niedersachsen-class frigate is a planned German frigate class intended to replace the F123 Brandenburg-class frigates in the German Navy. The ships are to be the largest surface warships to join the German Navy since World War II. The first ship, Niedersachsen, is planned to be commissioned in 2028, with Saarland, Bremen, and Thüringen to follow. On 8 April 2024, Germany exercised their option and purchased an additional two frigates. The contract for two additional F126 frigates was signed on 19 June 2024.

In April 2018, the Dutch Government approved a multi-year investment program for the Royal Netherlands Navy and allocated funds for the 2018–2030 period. The Dutch Defence Materiel Administration (DMO) is in charge of the procurement of these new ships.

HNLMS <i>Den Helder</i> Fast combat support ship of Royal Netherlands Navy

HNLMS Den Helder is a new replenishment oiler under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Also known as the Combat Support Ship (CSS), Den Helder is planned to fill the gap of replenishment at sea that was left after HNLMS Amsterdam was sold to Peru in 2014. The design is based on the Karel Doorman.

City-class mine countermeasures vessel Ship design project of the Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Navy

The Netherlands and Belgium are doing a joint procurement for the replacements of the Tripartite-class/Alkmaar-class minehunters. Each of the two countries is procuring six new mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels, which makes for a total of 12 MCM ships. The new MCM ships, developed by Naval Group, will include a range of unmanned systems including unmanned surface, aerial and underwater vehicles alongside towed sonars and mine identification and neutralization remotely operated vehicles.

Future Air Defender Ship design project of the Royal Netherlands Navy and German Navy

The Future Air Defender (FuAD) was a joint program from the Dutch and German navies to find a common replacement for both the De Zeven Provinciën and the Sachsen-class frigate. The joint German-Dutch programme was cancelled in November 2023.

Multifunctional Support Ship Ship design project of the Royal Netherlands Navy

The Multifunctional Support Ship (MSS), also known as the MSS (formerly TRIFIC & MICAN) is a project of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN, Dutch: Koninklijke Marine). it was announced on 23 November 2022 by Captain (E) Paul Flos, head of maritime systems at DMO. On 24 September 2024 an announcement was made by State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman that two ships will be procured from the Damen Group. Both ships should be in service by 2027.

<i>ATS</i>-class amphibious warfare ship Ship class

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References

  1. ↑ Saballa, Joe (7 April 2023). "Netherlands, Belgium Agree to $4.4B Anti-Submarine Frigate Deal". The Defence Post. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  2. ↑ "Anti-Submarine Warfare Fregatten (ASWF) | België en Nederland". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch). 10 September 2024.
  3. ↑ Rudy Ruitenberg (5 November 2024). "Europeans start work on next-generation combat ship for the 2040s". Defense News.
  4. 1 2 "MAN Energy Solutions to supply main engines and generator sets for ASW Frigates". Defence Industry Europe. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  5. ↑ Hill, John (5 April 2024). "RENK will provide gearbox systems to Dutch and Belgian ASW frigates". Naval Technology. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "ABB wins order with Damen Naval to supply integrated power and distribution system for ASW frigates". ABB. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Kongsberg Maritime secures contract to supply propeller systems to Damen Naval for four Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates". Kongsberg. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  8. ↑ Evert Brouwer (2 July 2020). "Varen in de toekomst". Materieelgezien (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
  9. 1 2 3 "Thales To Equip The New Dutch And Belgian Frigates With Leading Edge Above Water Warfare System". Thales. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  10. 1 2 "NEW ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE FRIGATES ORDERED FOR NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM". The Royal Institution of naval architects. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  11. ↑ "Terma secures contract to equip Belgian and Netherlands Navy frigates with Scanter 6002 Naval Surveillance Radars". edrmagazine. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  12. ↑ "Turnkey communications from Rohde & Schwarz for Dutch and Belgian ASW frigates". edrmagazine. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Exail to equip Royal Netherlands and Belgian Navies' Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates". edrmagazine. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  14. ↑ https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/aswf.html
  15. ↑ "Leonardo to supply naval guns for Dutch-Belgian ASW frigates". Defence Industry Europe. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  16. ↑ Peter Felstead (1 November 2024). "BAE Systems to arm Dutch and Belgian ASW frigates with Bofors 40Mk4 naval guns". European Security & Defence.
  17. ↑ "BAE Systems Secures Contract to Equip Dutch and Belgian ASWF Frigates with Bofors 40Mk4 Naval Guns". Army Recognition. 1 November 2024.
  18. 1 2 Fiorenza, Nicholas (29 May 2018). "Belgium approves M-frigate replacement". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  19. ↑ Kuijpers, Dieuwertje (5 November 2016). "Strategische armoede III: de Nederlandse marine is een zinkend schip" (in Dutch). Follow the Money. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  20. ↑ Karremann, "Marine wil van twee naar één soort fregat".
  21. ↑ "Nederland vervangt marineschepen samen met België" (in Dutch). Dutch Ministry of Defense. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  22. ↑ Karremann, Jaime (29 March 2018). "Vervanger M-fregatten (België en Nederland)" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  23. ↑ Karremann, Jaime (26 May 2018). "Nieuwe fregatten en mijnenjagers: dinsdag ondertekening overeenkomst" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  24. ↑ "Dutch MoD clears path for the M-frigates replacement, expects delays". 24 June 2020.
  25. ↑ "Nieuwe Anti Submarine Warfare fregatten vanaf 2029 in de vaart" [New Anti Submarine Warfare frigates to hit the seas from 2029] (Press release) (in Dutch). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Staff, Naval News (2023-06-23). "The Netherlands and Belgium Sign Final Agreement for ASWF Frigates". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  27. 1 2 3 Vavasseur, Xavier (2024-09-05). "Netherlands Orders 2 additional Frigates, 6 more helicopters to 'prepare for the worst'". Naval News. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  28. ↑ Mariska Buitendijk (9 September 2024). "Netherlands to double order for ASW Frigates". SWZ|Maritime.
  29. ↑ Richard Scott (21 July 2023). "Leonardo to supply Sovraponte guns for new ASWFs". Janes.
  30. ↑ "The Netherlands Select Leonardo's New Sovraponte Guns for ASWF". Naval News. 21 July 2023.
  31. 1 2 Jaime Karremann (1 November 2024). "Trendbreuk: nieuwe fregatten krijgen Bofors-kanons". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
  32. ↑ "Leonardo to supply naval guns for Dutch-Belgian ASW frigates". Defence Industry Europe. 21 July 2023.
  33. ↑ Xavier Vavasseur (1 November 2024). "The Netherlands and Belgium Select 40Mk4 Naval Gun for ASW Frigates". Naval News.
  34. ↑ "RAM-System Secures Contract to Supply RAM Missile Launchers for Dutch & Belgian Navies". Army Recognition. 22 November 2024.
  35. ↑ Peruzzi (2024), p. 10.
  36. ↑ "Bill for 2 new Belgian ASW Frigates increases by 800 million euros". Army Recognition. 31 March 2023.
  37. ↑ "Dutch Navy's ASW Frigates to enter service in 2029". Naval News. 4 April 2023.
  38. ↑ Joost Margés (12 November 2024). "Projectleider ASW-fregat gespitst op voortschrijdend inzicht". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
  39. ↑ Mariska Buitendijk (15 April 2024). "Dutch Naval Design to supply USVs to Dutch navy". SWZ|Maritime.
  40. ↑ Kate Tringham (19 April 2024). "Netherlands MoD and Dutch Naval Design team to collaborate on USV development". Janes.
  41. ↑ "In 't kort - Defensie en Dutch Naval Design samen in zee voor onbemand vaartuig". Materieelgezien (in Dutch). Defensie.nl. 16 April 2024.
  42. 1 2 Richard Scott (5 July 2024). "The Netherlands looks to develop an ASW USV to complement frigates". Naval News.
  43. ↑ Rudy Ruitenberg (19 November 2024). "Germany, UK, US make Norway's billion-dollar frigate shortlist". Defense News.
  44. ↑ Tobias Kappelle (27 September 2024). "Deze winter shortlist voor nieuwe Noorse fregatten, Damen nog in de race". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
  45. ↑ "Norway seeks strategic partnerships for new frigate deliveries". Naval Technology. 20 November 2024.
  46. ↑ Jaime Karremann (19 November 2024). "Noorwegen kiest niet voor samenwerking Nederland". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
  47. ↑ "Norway makes downselection for new frigates". Naval News. 19 November 2024.

Bibliography

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