Belgium approves agreement to increase costs of 2 ASW frigates.

According to information published by the Belgian MoD on June 23, 2023, the Defense Ministers of the Netherlands and Belgium sign the final agreement for the order of new frigates.
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Signature of the new Memorandum of Understanding four the four Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

Belgian Defense Minister, Ludivine Dedonder, and her Dutch counterpart, Kajsa Ollongren, were invited aboard the Dutch De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate De Ruyter.  The Dutch ship was docked in Antwerp during the visit of the King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to Belgium.

Taking advantage of this visit, the two Ministers used the opportunity to sign a new memorandum of understanding for the joint acquisition of four new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates, meant to replace the current multi-purpose frigates.

This MoU is an amendment to the MoU signed by the two countries in 2018. It includes two major changes. The updated agreement updates the costs. The rise in these costs is partly due to inflation since Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, as well as Minister Dedonder's decision to equip the frigates identically in terms of weapons and sensors to the Dutch frigates.

Moreover, the renewed agreement stipulates that the Netherlands will place orders worth 355 million euros from the Belgian industry over the next ten years to offset some of the cost increase.

ASWF

The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and the Belgian Navy are collaborating on an ambitious project known as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF). This venture aims to replace the existing fleet of Multipurpose- or M-frigates with a more advanced and capable alternative.

Although the ASWF project shares similarities with the British Global Combat Ship (formerly known as the FSC program), it is wholly separate in its development and execution.

The new frigate boasts impressive specifications such as a displacement of 6,400 tonnes, a length of 145 meters, and a beam extending over 17 meters. The vessel can accommodate up to 117 crew members with additional space for 34 more if needed.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the ASWF frigate will feature an array of Thales' multifunctional radars, including the APAR block 2.0 X-band, the SM400 block 2 S-band, and the PHAROS Multi Target Tracking Radar.

In terms of armament, the frigate is fitted with an array of missiles, including 8x NSM, a 16-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system with RIM-162 ESSM (quad-packs per cell), and 1x RAM RIM-116 with 21 missiles each.

The vessel also includes a Torpedo system, the Mk-54 LWT, and a variety of guns such as the OTO Melara 76 mm (with DART ammunition), 2x 40mm Oto Marlin, and several medium and light machine guns.

Furthermore, the ASWF frigate is designed to carry 1 NH90 helicopter and a UAV, reinforcing its versatility and tactical advantage in various naval operations.