Design Delays Postpone Frigate Deliveries for Netherlands and Belgium Until 2033
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has announced that the delivery of new Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWFs) for the navies of the Netherlands and Belgium will be delayed by three years, with the first ships now expected in 2033. This delay is attributed to the need for additional design work to provide a growth margin to the ship design. The contract for these frigates was awarded to Damen Shipyards Group in June 2023, with the aim of replacing the aging M-class multipurpose frigates currently in service. The delay will impact both the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy, as they await the new vessels to enhance their naval capabilities. 
