Damen Naval has contracted Van Halteren Technologies for replenishment at sea systems and helicopter transfer systems for the Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) programme. The frigates, developed on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Defence for the Royal Netherlands and Belgian Navy, set a new European standard for advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels.
Van Halteren Technologies Boxtel (VHT) is a Dutch company focussed on design and manufacturing of specialised systems, technical solutions and services for defence and industrial applications.
VHT was selected for its expertise and proven track record, demonstrated in previous collaborations. Recently, the company completed successful replenishment at sea (RAS) testing for the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder. For the ASWF, the integration of RAS receivers into the super structures marks a significant engineering innovation.
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Customisable systems
The VHT RAS systems, designed for the safe transfer of liquids and solids at sea, are fully customisable and designed for safe, reliable operations under demanding naval conditions. Additionally, VHT’s helicopter transfer systems (HTSs) are designed for both manned and unmanned helicopters.
‘These contracts mark another important step in delivering a future-proof platform that will strengthen European security and cooperation,’ says Fer Tummers, Project Director ASWF at Damen Naval. ‘We value working with trusted partners like Van Halteren Technologies who share our commitment to innovation.’
‘The “proven in practice” RAS systems and HTSs will be fully integrated into the ASWF platform as a project. For VHT, the contribution to the ASWF programme is an excellent example to demonstrate the knowledge and expertise for drive and control technology in cooperation with Damen Naval,’ according to Charles Simons, Sales Manager Naval Systems at VHT.
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ASW Frigates
In June 2023, Damen Naval was awarded the contract to design and build four ASW Frigates, two for The Netherlands and two for Belgium. In September 2024, the Dutch government announced plans to increase the national Defence budget, and the Dutch Ministry of Defence presented the Defence Whitepaper 2024 revealing plans to order additional frigates.
The ASW Frigates, set to replace the Karel Doorman class, are designed for anti-submarine warfare and can counter surface and air threats. They feature low acoustic signatures, advanced sensors, high survivability, and integrated automation. These multi-role vessels are also capable of handling lower-intensity operations, including counter-piracy, anti-terrorism, and maritime security operations.
The ASWF programme demonstrates EU defence cooperation in action, as it offers other EU and NATO nations an opportunity to join the project. The first vessel is scheduled to be delivered by Damen Naval in 2028.
Picture: From left to right – Charles Simons (Sales manager VHT), Fer Tummers (Project Director Damen Naval), Durk-Jan Nederlof (Managing Director VHT), Yuri Bos (Procurement Damen Naval) (photo by Damen Naval).
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