Kongsberg Maritime Sweden Secures Deal with Damen Naval for Advanced Propeller Systems in ASW Frigates
Damen Naval has chosen Kongsberg Maritime Sweden to supply adjustable pitch propellers and shaft systems for the quartet of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates designated for the Netherlands and Belgium. As part of this agreement, Kongsberg will furnish four complete sets of its adjustable pitch propeller systems and related equipment including blades, hub covers, hubs, and shaft systems.
The four ASW frigates will succeed the existing Karel Doorman-class multi-role frigates. They will be utilized for a diverse range of missions, with anti-submarine warfare being their primary aim. The vessels will feature hybrid diesel-electric propulsion designed to function with maximum stealth.
This marks the second partnership between Damen Naval and Kongsberg Maritime within the last 18 months. It follows a comparable contract established by the companies in September 2022 for the German navy’s F126 frigates.
“It is excellent news to include Kongsberg Maritime in the ASW-frigate project as well,” states Damen Naval Director Corporate Strategy and Innovation Richard Keulen. “We have a long-standing partnership with the company, and it serves as a prime example of the superb collaboration existing between the Dutch and Swedish naval shipbuilding sectors.”
Kongsberg Maritime’s Vice President – Naval Björn ten Eicken comments: “Kongsberg Maritime is honored to be chosen as a collaborator for this significant Damen Naval frigate initiative. The propulsion system for the new frigates has been refined to align with the clients’ rigorous mission specifications, particularly for acoustic signature, which is a vital component in anti-submarine warfare operations.”
The ASW-frigate initiative is being executed in close collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defence, with a portion of the work to be handled by the MoD itself. The hulls will be constructed in Romania and subsequently transported to Vlissingen for further finishing. Damen Naval anticipates delivering the first vessel in 2028.
