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Future of the Royal Netherlands Navy

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.

Ships under construction

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The following is a list of vessels currently under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy:

Class Ship Pennant no. Builder Type Displacement Launched Commissioning Status Source
Den Helder-class Den Helder A834 Damen Group Combat Support Ship 20,000 tonnes 2024 (planned) Fitting out [1][2][3]
Vlissingen-class Vlissingen M840 Kership Mine Countermeasures Vessel 2,800 tonnes 2025 (planned) Fitting out [4][5]
Scheveningen M841 Giurgiu shipyard (hull)
Kership (fitting out) 		2026 (planned) Under construction [6]
IJmuiden M842 2027 (planned) Under construction [7]
Bolder class Bakspier Y8025 Stormer Marine Work Boat 9,5 tonnes 2024 (planned) Under construction [8][9][10][11]

Surface combatants

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De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate

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Modernization

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All four De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate will be modernised. Upgrades include acquisition Tomahawk Cruise Missiles,[12] a new OtoMelara 127/64 LW canon, ESSM-2, new SMART-L MM/N, replacing the aging Goalkeeper CIWS with RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile.

Replacement

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Artist impression of the FuAD
Main article: Future Air Defender

In 2020 it was announced that these intensively used ships will not be replaced as planned around 2025. The Royal Netherlands Navy and the German Navy will cooperate towards a joint platform design to replace both the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate and the Sachsen-class frigate from 2030 onwards.

Karel Doorman-class frigates

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Replacement

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Artist impression of the ASW Frigate
Main article: Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)

The two multipurpose M-frigates which are still in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy are reaching the end of their life; they were designed to last until 2018/2023. Because of this the Dutch Ministry of Defence started design studies in 2013. The new frigates are again planned to fulfill a general purpose role with anti-submarine warfare as its specialty. However, since the Netherlands Royal Navy only owns six frigates in total by 2017, the new ships have to be able to perform well in all areas of the spectrum. This means that anti-air equipment also has to be present, in the form of VLS (vertical launch)-cells carrying Standard Missile 2 or ESSM-projectiles. Due to budget cuts, the replacement program was delayed and is now projected to deliver the first ships in 2028–29.

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.[13]

Holland-class OPV

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Replacement

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In the 2022 Defense spending bill it was announced that at the end of their life cycle the four ships of the Holland-class will be replaced together with the two ships of the Rotterdam-class to form a new class of 'cross-over' ships with patrol-, amphibious- & emergency relief capabilities in mind.[14]

Amphibious warfare

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Rotterdam-class LPDs

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The two ships in the Rotterdam-class, the Rotterdam and the Johan de Witt have had several Updates. With the midlife update of Johan de Witt planned to take place in 2021–2022. Amongst other things the radars will be updated, with Thales NS100 radar & Thales Scout Mk3 replacing the Thales Variant radar & Kelvin Hughes radar.

  • HNLMS Rotterdam is set to be replaced by 2030.[15]
  • HNLMS Johan de Witt is set to be replaced by 2032.[16]

Replacement

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Artist impression of the ATS Program

In the 2022 Defense spending bill it was announced that at the end of their life cycle the two Rotterdam-class ships will be replaced together with the four ships of the Holland-class to form a new class of 'cross-over' ships with patrol-, amphibious- & emergency relief capabilities in mind.[14] In June 2023, the Netherlands and British governments announced that the two countries would "explore opportunities" to jointly develop new specialist amphibious warships.[17]

LCU's

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Modernization

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In 2023 the navy started with the MLU for all LCU Mk.IIs to bring them to LCU Mk.III standards. The first, L9528, was completed in January 2024.[18]

Replacement

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After the MLU the LCU's are expacted to remain in surface until at least 2032. After that they will get replaced. The A-letter for this is expacted in 2024.[19]

LCVP's

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Replacement

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Acquisition of new LCVPs from 2025 with additional capacity to support amphibious operations and the integration of the German Navy Marines (Seebatallion). In March 2023, a report to the Dutch Parliament outlined a plan for 12 Littoral Assault Craft (LAC) and 8 Littoral Craft Mobility (LCM) to replace the 12 existing light landing craft (Landing Craft Vehicles and Personnel - LCVP) and improve on their capability.[20][19]

Mine countermeasures vessel

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Alkmaar-class MCM ships

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The Netherlands and Belgium are doing a joint procurement for the replacements of the Alkmaar-class MCM ships. Both countries want to procure six new mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels, which makes for a total of 12 MCM ships. The new MCM ships will include a range of unmanned systems including unmanned surface, aerial and underwater vehicles alongside towed sonars and mine identification and neutralization ROVs.[21]

Contenders

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  • The Franco-Belgium consortium made up of French shipbuilders STX France and Socarenam together with Belgium's EDR are bidding for the 12 new MCM vessels. Their plan includes the construction of MCM vessels named Sea Naval Solutions and a multi-role frigate named Deviceseas, which will serve as mothership to the MCM vessels. All ships will have a strong focus on autonomous systems operations.[22]
  • France's Naval Group and ECA Group [fr] established Belgian subsidiary Naval & Robotics and bid for the program.[23][24]
  • Imtech Belgium and Damen Group bid for the program.[23][24]

Selection

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Artist impression of the Vlissingen-class
Main article: City-class mine countermeasures vessel

The contract was won by Naval Group on 15 March 2019.[23][24] Delivery of the first ship to the Royal Netherlands Navy is anticipated in 2025.[25]

Ships

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The names for the six ships were announced during the keel laying ceremony for the first in class ship, Oostende.[26]

Vlissingen-class
Pennant no. Name Status
M 840 Vlissingen Under construction [4]
M 841 Scheveningen Under construction[6]
M 842 IJmuiden Planned for 2027
M 843 Harlingen Planned for 2028
M 844 Delfzijl Planned for 2028
M 845 Schiedam Planned for 2030

Submarines

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Walrus-class submarines

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Main article: Walrus-class replacement program

In November 2014, the Dutch Minister of Defence announced plans to replace the Walrus-class submarines[27] in 2025.

In April 2022 it was announced that the revised schedule for construction of the new replacement boats would likely see the first two vessels entering service in the 2034 to 2037 timeframe.[28]

On 16 November 2022 the next phase in the program was started when DMO delivered the request for quotation to the three remaining yards. It is expected that the proposals will come in during the summer of 2023 with a final decision being made by the navy in late 2023 or early 2024.[29]

Contenders

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The Ministry of Defence has shortlisted three bidders:[30][31]

  • Damen Group and Saab Group announced that they have partnered from 2015 to jointly develop, offer and build next-generation submarines that are able to replace the current Walrus-class submarines.[32] It was announced on 1 June 2018 that their design will be derived from the A26 submarine.[33][34] The proposed submarine is around 73 metres (240 ft) long with a beam of 8 metres (26 ft). Furthermore, the displacement will be around 2,900 tonnes (2,900 long tons), with a complement of 34 to 42 people. The boat's armament includes 6 torpedo tubes and 1 multi-mission lock which can be used to deploy special forces.[33]
  • Naval Group announced that it is offering its newest submarine class, the Barracuda class, as replacement for the Walrus class. A version of the "Shortfin" diesel-electric variant Barracuda class was offered, rather than the nuclear variant used by the French Navy.[35]
Failed bids
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Spain's Navantia's S-80 was not accepted as a contender following the B-letter in 2019.[37] In 2022 the Spanish Ministry of Defence send a letter to the DMO for Navantia to be allowed to put in an offer following a RfQ sent to the remaining contenders, in which some of the requirements have changed. It is rumoured that the request was denied by DMO. [38]

Winning bid
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Artist impression of the Orka class

On 15 March 2024 State Secretary for Defence Christophe van der Maat officially announced that Naval Group has been selected as the winning bid.[39][40][41] Prior to this announcement, the winner was already leaked to several media outlets, which caused political backlash for choosing a foreign yard over a Dutch one.[42]

The names of the new submarines where also announced by van der Maat. The class will be known as the Orka class, with the subs named Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda and Tijgerhaai. The first two will be delivered within ten years after the contract has been signed.[39][40][41]

Auxiliary ships

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Den Helder-class replenishment ship

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Launch of hull sections 2 & 3

Den Helder is a new replenishment oiler currently under construction. 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 contract was signed on February 19, 2020, on the bridge of the HNLMS Karel Doorman.[43][44][45]

The first steel was cut in a ceremony on December 2, 2020, at the Damen yard in Galati. On 2 June Damen Shipyards Galati has performed the keel-laying ceremony. The keel-laying ceremony was performed by the Director of the DMO, vice admiral Arie Jan de Waard and vice admiral Rob Kramer, Commander Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).[46] The ship was formally laid down on 2 June 2021.[47] The first major section, measuring 90 m (300 ft), of the new vessel was launched in Galati on April 11, 2022.[48] The assembled ship was moved to a deeper part of the drydock in October 2022 with work expected to continue through 2023. Sea trials are anticipated in early 2024.[49]

Multifunctional Support Ship

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Artist impression of the Multifunctional Support Ship
Main article: Multifunctional Support Ship

On 23 November 2022 it was revealed that the navy is investigating the possibility of purchasing four commercially available offshore supply type vessels and use these ships as missile carriers. This program was known as The Rapidly Increased Firepower Capability (TRIFIC) and involves ships that would operate with a very small crew.[50] The TRIFIC-vessels could carry up to six container units with eight or more missiles (depending on missile size). One or more of these ships would accompany another vessel like a frigate or an OPV and use the guiding systems and radars of these ships to attack targets.[51][citation needed]

In December 2023 the revised TRIFIC concept was announced as Modular Integrated Capability for ACDF and North Sea (MICAN). It was also revealed that instead of four ships, two are initially planned.[52] Also the mission of the concept has changed, from solely being used as a missile carrier, to also being used as a Signals intelligence gathering vessel.[53][54]

On 24 September 2024 State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman gave an update on the MICAN-program, which was now named the Multifunctional Support Ship (MSS). He also announced the procurement for two ships.[55][56]

Minor vessels

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Artist impression of the ASR-program
Main article: Auxiliary ship replacement program

Replacement of Mercuur, Pelikaan, the four diving support vessels of the Cerberus class (Cerberus, Argus, Nautilus, Hydra), the diving training vessel Soemba, the hydrographic vessels of the Snellius class (Snellius & Luymes) and the training vessel Van Kinsbergen from 2024 onwards.[57] On 16 June 2022 it was announced in the B-letter that these ten vessels will be replaced by eight new ships of the same family. Four will be ocean going and the other four are for coastal or inland duties. These ships will be built by a Dutch shipyard which will be selected in 2024.[58]

Ocean going

The sea going variant will replace the five larger vessels:

Ship Type First in service Expected end of life
HNLMS Mercuur Submarine support vessel 1987 2026
HNLMS Van Kinsbergen Training ship 1999 2024
Snellius class HNLMS Snellius Hydrographic survey vessel 2003 2033
HNLMS Luymes 2004 2034
HNLMS Pelikaan Logistic support vessel 2006 2031
Coastal

The coastal variant will replace the five smaller vessels:

Ship Type First in service Expected end of life
HNLMS Soemba Diving support vessel 1989 2026 / 2027
Cerberus class HNLMS Cerberus Diving support vessel 1992 2026 / 2027
HNLMS Argus 1992
HNLMS Nautilus 1992
HNLMS Hydra 1992

Tugboats

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Schelde-class

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Artist impression of the Bolder class
Main article: Bolder-class tugboat

The navy is planning on replacing the five Schelde-class tugboat with three new line handling work boats. They are built by Stormer Marine in Hoorn and should be delivered in 2023 and 2024.[8][9][10] The name of the class was announced as the Bolder class on 20 June 2023. The names of the ships are inspired by Dutch terms used in the towing industry: Bolder, Beting and Bakspier, respectively.[11]

Aircraft

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Helicopter

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A NH90 NFH from the Royal Netherlands Navy

On 5 September 2024, the Dutch Ministry of Defense released the 2024 Defense Memorandum, in which it was oulined that the navy would receive an additional number of NHIndustries NH90 NFH maritime patrol helicopters.[13]

UAV

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UMS Skeldar V-200

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UMS Skeldar V-200

The Dutch navy together with its Belgian counterpart is buying an undisclosed amount of UMS Skeldar V-200 drones. These will be primarily used onboard the City-class mine countermeasures vessel for communication between the mothership and the USVs. Or use lidar to search for mines just below the surface.[59][60][61]

High Eye Airboxer

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On 14 May 2024 it was announced that COMMIT was going to purchase an undisclosed amount of High Eye Airboxer drones for use by the navy.[62][63]

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Marine wil bevoorrader 'in de geest van Zr.Ms. Amsterdam'" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Nieuw bevoorradingsschip komt in 2022" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  3. ^ "First steel cuts of Combat Support Ship CSS Den Helder for Dutch Navy Netherlands". navyrecognition.com. December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Bouw mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuig Vlissingen begonnen". Marineschepen. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Kiel van nieuw mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuig Vlissingen gelegd - eerste van nieuwe klasse". Marineschepen. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  6. ^ a b Koninklijke Marine [@kon_marine] (19 July 2023). "De bouw van het toekomstige mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuig Zr.Ms. Scheveningen is gestart" (Tweet) (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 July 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Dinsdag kiellegging derde Nederlandse mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuig". Marineschepen. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Primeur voor @kon_marine en DMO" (in Dutch). Defensie Materieel Organisatie. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Werkboten Schelde-klasse worden vervangen" (in Dutch). Maritiem Den Helder. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Dutch Ministry of Defence orders new navy tugboats". ZWS Maritime. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Lichtgewicht werkboten hebben elektrische aandrijving" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Defensie zet in op meer maritieme slagkracht en inzetbaarheid - Nieuwsbericht - Defensie.nl". 17 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b Vavasseur, Xavier (5 September 2024). "Netherlands Orders 2 additional Frigates, 6 more helicopters to 'prepare for the worst'". Naval News. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Defensienota: marine wordt iets kleiner en koerswijziging amfibische schepen". marineschepen.nl.
  15. ^ "Zr.Ms. Rotterdam LPD". marineschepen.nl.
  16. ^ "Johan de Witt Landing Platform Dock". marineschepen.nl.
  17. ^ "UK and Netherlands to explore opportunities around new ships for amphibious operations". Royal Navy. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Eerste vernieuwde LCU-landingsschip te water gelaten" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  19. ^ a b "A-brief project 'Vervanging middelzwaar landingsvaartuig (LCVP)'" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Dutch marines to procure 20 new landing craft to replace LCVPs". Janes. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Belgium OKs acquisition of six new mine countermeasure vessels". navaltoday.com. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  22. ^ "STX France, EDR, Socarenam team for Belgian mine countermeasure project". navaltoday.com. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "France's Naval Group clinches Belgian-Dutch minehunter replacement contract". Naval Today. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  24. ^ a b c Scott, Richard (15 March 2019). "Naval Group team selected for BE/NL MCM programme". Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  25. ^ "First Steel Cutting Ceremony For Dutch-Belgian MCM Program". Naval News. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Eerste kiel nieuwe mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen voor Nederland en België gelegd" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  27. ^ Tomkins, Richard (22 January 2015). "Swedes, Dutch partner for future submarine work". UPI.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Netherlands To Extend The Life Of Walrus Class Submarines". Naval News. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Nieuwe fase: vanaf november gaan onderzeebootbouwers met offerte aan de slag" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  30. ^ "The Netherlands: three bidders shortlisted for submarine replacement program". Naval Today. 16 December 2019.
  31. ^ Sprenger, Sebastian (17 December 2019). "One bidder out, three remain in Dutch race to replace Walrus subs". Defense News. Sightline Media Group.
  32. ^ "Saab and Damen Team for Walrus Future Submarine Replacement Programme". www.damen.com. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  33. ^ a b "Meer details voorstel nieuwe Nederlandse onderzeeboot van Saab en Damen". www.marineschepen.nl. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  34. ^ Stichting Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid magazine editie 2-2018 (June 2018), accessed 12 June 2018, pages 11–12.
  35. ^ "Franse werf Naval Group wil Nederland dieselelektrische variant van nucleaire onderzeeboot Barracuda aanbieden". www.marineschepen.nl. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  36. ^ Fiorenza, Nicholas (16 December 2019). "Netherlands downselects contenders for submarine replacement". Jane's 360.
  37. ^ "Navantia woest: redenen voor uitschakeling "slaan nergens op"" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Spanje heeft om terugkeer in race Nederlandse onderzeeboten gevraagd" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  39. ^ a b "Bouw nieuwe onderzeeboten voorlopig gegund aan Naval" (in Dutch). Dutch Ministry of Defense. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Defensie bevestigt miljardenproject: nieuwe onderzeeërs heten Orka, Zwaardvis, Barracuda en Tijgerhaai" (in Dutch). RTL Nieuws. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  41. ^ a b "The Netherlands Select Naval Group For Its New Submarines". Naval News. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  42. ^ "Kamerdebat onderzeeboten: zorgen en veel aandacht voor Nederlandse industrie, maar geen ingreep" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  43. ^ "Contract Combat Support Ship ondertekend" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  44. ^ "Nieuw bevoorradingsschip marine Zr.Ms. Den Helder kan worden gebouwd" (in Dutch). nhnieuws.nl. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  45. ^ "Bouw nieuw bevoorradingsschip wordt Nederlands feestje" (in Dutch). defensie.nl. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  46. ^ White, Ryan (2 June 2021). "Damen Shipyards Galati lays keel of Combat Support Ship Den Helder - Naval Post". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  47. ^ "Damen Shipyards Galati lays keel of Royal Netherlands Navy's Combat Support Ship". 3 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Belangrijke mijlpaal bouw nieuw bevoorradingsschip Nederlandse marine" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Damen "Launches" Royal Netherlands Navy's Combat Support Ship". Naval News. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  50. ^ Richard Scott (16 June 2023). "RNLN looks at low-manned platform to augment frigate fire power". Naval News.
  51. ^ "Marine wil op korte termijn grote zwaarbewapende schepen met enkele bemanningsleden" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  52. ^ "Twee nieuwe marineschepen voor meer slagkracht en beter beeld dreiging op Noordzee" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  53. ^ "Dutch Naval programs: Renewing the entire Royal Netherlands Navy Fleet". Naval News. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  54. ^ "Marine zet twee nieuwe schepen in om Russische spionage in de gaten te houden" (in Dutch). Pointer. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  55. ^ Gijs Tuinman. "A/B-brief project 'Multifunctionele ondersteuningsvaartuigen'" (in Dutch). Rijksoverheid. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  56. ^ "Damen gaat nieuwe ondersteuningsvaartuigen bouwen, raketten uit Israël" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  57. ^ "Vervanging van tien Nederlandse marineschepen ineens". marineschepen.nl.
  58. ^ "Bouwer 8 nieuwe hulpvaartuigen in 2024 bekend". marineschepen.nl.
  59. ^ "De drones waarmee de Belgische en Nederlandse marine mijnen gaan bestrijden (4)" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  60. ^ "Duitsland stopt project Skeldar-drone, België en Nederland gaan door" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  61. ^ "SKELDAR V-200 VTOL UAV Selected For Belgian And Dutch MCM Program". Naval News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  62. ^ "Royal Netherlands Navy selects High Eye's Airboxer VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicles". Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  63. ^ "Royal Netherlands Navy Selects High Eye's Airboxer VTOL UAV". Naval News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.

Further reading

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