Dutch-Belgian anti-submarine frigate programme slips again, first ship now due 2033
Why it matters: The ASWF programme is the backbone of both navies' future submarine-hunting force and runs on an all-diesel CODLAD propulsion train from MAN. An eight-year slip from the original 2025 target is a serious black mark for Damen's naval build pipeline and for NATO's North Sea ASW posture.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has told parliament the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) will not arrive until 2033, three years later than the 2029/30 date set after an earlier delay and eight years past the original 2025 goal. The letter, dated 18 September, blames a hull redesign needed to fix stability margins while keeping room for future upgrades. Detailed engineering only started this month. Belgium, partnered on the four-plus-three-ship Damen-built class, is now openly weighing alternatives while bilateral talks continue into 2026. Dutch officials are also looking at whether industrial capacity freed up by Germany's cancelled F126 frigate programme could help. The ships use MAN diesel engines and diesel-electric gensets through RENK gearboxes.
Source: Naval News · 26 September 2026