The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) is to receive two cost-effective, lightly manned, multifunctional, multipurpose support vessels between 2026 and the end of 2027. The aim is to strengthen surveillance capacity and combat capability, particularly in the North Sea.
The construction of the two units is to be accelerated and is based on a commercial fast-crew-supply design. The ships will be manufactured "off-the-shelf" and nationally at Damen. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) was selected to equip the containerised weapon and EloKa modules in order to minimise integration hurdles.
According to a study from 2022, these highly automated platforms are designed as "external" armouries for the RNLN's air defence and commando frigates (ADCF). The project is now being implemented swiftly and largely without bureaucracy.
The payload integrated into the ADCF's FüWES fulfils three main tasks:
- Additional launch silos for long-range surface-to-air missiles will expand the limited arsenal of the four De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence frigates.
- Precision-guided long-range munitions against coastal targets (loitering munitions) are intended to support amphibious operations.
- Three-dimensional drones and electromagnetic weapons for drone defence are to be used to protect critical infrastructure in the North Sea.
The last point was probably added at the last minute in view of the current threat situation - but it fits logically into the concept. It is an innovative, coherent solution that can also serve as a test platform for future unmanned weapon carriers.
As the new ships are not yet operational, The Hague wants to contract civilian service providers in order to close the presence vacuum in one of the world's busiest sea areas in the short term.
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