BAE Systems Chosen to Equip Belgian and Dutch Navies with Advanced Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Guns for MCMV Initiative
The shipbuilding firm Kership will equip the fleet of 12 mine detection vessels – six for Belgium and six for the Netherlands – with the initial ship slated for delivery to the Belgian Navy in 2024.
The Bofors 40 Mk4 represents a dynamic, highly adaptable artillery system engineered to respond swiftly in coastal settings. Lightweight and compact, this naval artillery platform merges extensive range with a rapid rate of fire, enhancing the mine detection vessels’ defensive capabilities against surface, aerial, and land-based threats.
“The Bofors 40 Mk4 is a significantly automated naval gun that will furnish the Belgian and Dutch naval forces with remarkable firepower and impressive range,” stated Lena Gillström, managing director for BAE Systems Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden. “This recent agreement broadens the number of European countries utilizing the Bofors 40 Mk4 and highlights the increasing demand we are witnessing in the region.”
Providing exceptional survivability and operational freedom at various levels of conflict, the Bofors 40 Mk4 also offers optimized ammunition options, including the economical programmable 3P rounds. The capability to automatically transition between diverse types of ammunition supplies a high degree of combat adaptability in response to emerging threats such as UAVs.
The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval artillery is the latest iteration in the 40mm series and is employed by numerous navies and coast guard agencies worldwide. The system was recently chosen by Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
