Belgium Considers Alternatives to Damen ASWF Frigate Programme Amid Delays and Cost Overruns
Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken has declared the joint Dutch-Belgian Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) programme, led by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, is moving 'completely in the wrong direction' on both delivery dates and price. The programme, intended to replace ageing M-class frigates with four ships (two per navy), faces a design crisis after the original hull proved insufficient, leading to a larger, more expensive design and delays pushing commissioning from 2031 to potentially 2033-2034. Francken announced Belgium will launch a Request for Information (RFI) to European frigate builders in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye, signaling a willingness to explore alternatives beyond the current bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands. He emphasized that no final schedule or budget clarity exists, and a key decision point is expected in autumn 2026. The remarks follow two parliamentary hearings where Francken detailed the programme's 'rough waters' and the urgent need to avoid a capability gap for the Belgian Navy.
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