The Royal Netherlands Navy is getting two new support vessels with modern weapon systems and equipment. Dutch shipbuilder Damen is building them. The vessels are needed to better protect the Netherlands and its allies in the event of a threat.
State Secretary Gijs Tuinman reported this to the House of Representatives on 24 September.
For operations in the higher violence spectrum, the navy needs air defence reinforcement and increased firepower. In addition, the navy needs research equipment to detect and monitor threats in the North Sea. The new multi-purpose support vessels carry the new armament or equipment in containers. Through innovation and cleverly combining existing systems, this can be done with a small crew.
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Missiles, ammunition and equipment
The navy needs more long-range anti-aircraft missiles. Opponents can launch massive and simultaneous attacks with anti-ship missiles or drones. The Air Defence and Command (LC) frigates must be able to defend themselves and other (naval) vessels against this.
The new vessels have additional anti-aircraft missiles. They sail at a short distance from the LC frigates. The missiles are launched from the support vessel, controlled by the LC frigate. For Marine Corps amphibious operations, among others, Defence needs long-range precision munitions. This serves to eliminate threats on land. This may include enemy air defences, for example.
In addition, the navy needs electronic warfare equipment. This equipment can interfere with an opponent’s radar systems. The latter will then not get a good picture. If the enemy does deploy missiles, the equipment prevents them from hitting their target. In an attack using flying or sailing drones, the equipment disrupts the connection between the drones and the person operating them.
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Underwater drones and sensors
North Sea infrastructure is vulnerable. Think of wind turbines and oil rigs. Other examples are oil and gas pipelines, power cables and data cables on the seabed. The Military Intelligence and Security Service (Militaire Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst) wrote in its annual report about Russian activities indicating espionage. The service also reported preparatory acts of disruption and sabotage of maritime infrastructure.
To detect these threats, Defence is acquiring underwater drones and sensors to gather information for the new vessels.
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Maritime manufacturing industry
The acquisition at Damen is in line with government policy to strengthen the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry. Defence thus contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy. In the coming years, Defence will replace almost its entire naval fleet. The maritime manufacturing industry is the foundation for this.
The project involves EUR 250 million to EUR 1 billion. North Sea capacity will be deployable from 2026 and both vessels will be fully deployable by 2027.
Picture: Artist impression of the new support vessel (by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Dutch navy gets six new Amphibious Transport Ships
