Construction delays on frigates ordered by Belgian navy
The delivery of the Belgian navy’s new frigates is facing further delays. Without an interim solution, the navy is likely to be left without any frigates, De Morgen reports.
The Netherlands and Belgium jointly ordered four new warships from a Dutch shipyard. The Dutch Defence ministry announced this week that construction was facing further delays. The first ship for Belgium – which may wish to order a third – will not be ready before 2034, seven years later than planned.
The navy currently has two old frigates, the Leopold I and the Louise-Marie, which have recently participated in NATO missions in the Baltic and elsewhere. It seems unlikely that these will be able to remain in service until the middle of the next decade, according to De Morgen.
As a result, the navy faces the prospect of having to manage without frigates for years. Possible temporary solutions include converting minehunters or leasing frigates.
The bill for the new vessels continues to rise. It has already increased from 600 million to 1 billion euros per ship, and at least another 250 million is expected to be added to that.
Defence minister Theo Francken met his Dutch counterpart, Dilan Yeşilgöz, this month. It is reported that they agreed to find emergency solutions by the summer recess.
The frigate Louise-Marie in Zeebrugge © BELGA PHOTO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
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