Damen Naval has selected Kongsberg Maritime Sweden to deliver controllable pitch propellers and shaft lines for the four Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates for the Netherlands and Belgium. As part of this contract, Kongsberg will supply four shipsets of its controllable pitch propeller systems and associated equipment including blades, hubcaps, hubs, and shaft lines.
The four ASW frigates will replace the current Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigates. They will be deployed for a wide variety of tasks, with anti-submarine warfare as their main purpose. The ships will have hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and will be designed to operate as quietly as possible.
This is the second collaboration between Damen Naval and Kongsberg Maritime in the past 18 months. It follows a similar contract signed by the companies in September 2022 for the German navy’s F126 frigates.
Damen Naval signs new contract with Kongsberg Maritime Sweden. (Image credit: Damen Naval)
“It is great news to have Kongsberg Maritime involved in the ASW- frigate project as well,” says Damen Naval Director Corporate Strategy and Innovation Richard Keulen. “We have a long-standing relationship with the company, and it is a good example of the excellent co-operation that exists between the Dutch and Swedish naval shipbuilding industries.”
Kongsberg Maritime’s Vice President - Naval Björn ten Eicken adds: “Kongsberg Maritime is proud to have been selected as a partner for this significant Damen Naval frigate programme. The propulsion system for the new frigates has been optimised to match the customers’ strict mission requirements, particularly for noise signature, which is a crucial factor in anti-submarine warfare operations.”
The ASW-frigate project is being carried out in close cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Defence, with some of the work to be carried out by the MoD itself. The hulls will be built in Romania and then come to Vlissingen for further completion. Damen Naval is expected to deliver the first ship in 2028.
Damen Shipyards Group - Oceans of Possibilities
Damen Shipyards Group has been in operation for over ninety-five years and offers maritime solutions worldwide, through design, construction, conversion and repair of ships and ship components. By integrating systems we create innovative, high quality platforms, which provide our customers with maximum added value.
Our core values are fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and stewardship. Our goal is to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder, via digitalization, standardization and serial construction of our innovative vessels and through use of circular materials.
Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies in 20 countries, supported by a worldwide sales and service network. We deliver in the region of 100 vessels per year, with a total production value of over 3 billion euros. We offer direct employment to approximately 12,500 people. In all that we do, our aim to ensure a positive impact on the local environment and society.
Damen Naval – Securing Our Seas
Damen Naval is the dedicated naval shipbuilding division of the Damen Shipyards Group. With roots stretching back almost 150 years – to the Royal Schelde yard in Vlissingen – Damen Naval is the only naval original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the Netherlands. Having delivered more than 400 vessels to customers around the world, Damen Naval offers a role as designer, engineer, builder, integrator, and service provider throughout our ships’ lifecycle.
Currently, Damen Naval is leading a series of naval projects for NATO/EU partners: the F126 frigate programme for the German Navy, the Combat Support Ship for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), as well as the future-proof Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates for the RNLN and the Belgian Navy.
