PARIS — The Netherlands plans to buy two support vessels that will act as sidekicks to its air-defense frigates, packing additional missiles to defeat swarms of anti-ship missiles and drones, for an investment in the range of €250 million to €1 billion (US$279 million to $1.1 billion).
The support vessels will also be able to provide fire support for amphibious operations using long-range loitering munitions, as well as equip underwater drones to track and identify suspicious activity in the North Sea, Dutch State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman said. The vessels are described as “sailing toolboxes” for the lead vessel and will have a length of about 53 meters and a beam of 9.8 meters.
Dutch shipyard Damen will build the vessels, with Israeli Aerospace Industries supplying its Barak ER surface-to-air interceptor, Harop long-range loitering munition as well as electronic-warfare equipment. The vessels are expected to be fully operational by 2027 and will be crewed by at least eight sailors each.
The Netherlands needs to be prepared for swarming tactics, with massive and simultaneous attacks of anti-ship missiles and drones. The vessels will be equipped to provide additional air-defense capabilities and firepower for operations in the “higher violence spectrum” and to protect critical North Sea infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence plans to buy off-the-shelf underwater drones equipped with long-range sensors to spot suspicious activity, while the support vessels will also be fitted with sensors to record suspicious vessels.
