Belgium, Netherlands to buy 16 warships jointly: report
Belgium and the Netherlands have agreed to buy 16 military ships jointly for an estimated cost of around €4 billion euros ($4.7 billion), reports said.
Dutch defence minister Ank Bijleveld and his Belgian counterpart Steven Vandeput, in Brussels for a NATO meeting, signed an MoU to begin the purchase procedure, the Belga news agency said, citing Vandeput.
The agreement calls for four frigates, which would built in the Netherlands, and 12 minehunters, with 16 ships to be split evenly between the two sides.
Bids have been requested from Dutch builder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and the Dutch affiliate of French group Thales, the Dutch ANP news agency reported.
For Belgium, 'some candidates have already been chosen... The goal is to make a decision by the end of the year,' Laurence Mortier, a spokesman for the Belgian minister, told AFP.
The new ships should be delivered starting in 2023, the Belgian navy said.
The neighbouring countries' navies have collaborated for more than half a century and they cooperate closely in defence matters.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost
The US Government has awarded a significant contract to move along its Polar Security Cutter programme.
-
Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory
The deal, which has been planned since August 2024, is part of an ongoing attempt to bolster Australia’s defences against the potential of Chinese aggression.
-
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
-
Newest Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyer launched and ready for fitting
DDG 129, which will become the USS Jeremiah Denton on commissioning, was moved to dry dock to begin its technical fitting and testing.