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Belgium Warns of Possible Frigate Gap After Naval Program Delays
(MENAFN) Belgium’s navy may be left without operational frigates for several years after further setbacks in a joint naval procurement program with the Netherlands, according to local media reports published Saturday.
The delays affect a joint order for four anti-submarine warfare frigates placed with a Dutch shipbuilder by Belgium and the Netherlands. Under the revised timeline, Belgium’s first new vessel is now expected to be delivered only in 2034—around seven years later than initially planned, according to reports cited by Dutch newspaper.
The project has faced repeated postponements, with the Dutch Defence Ministry confirming this week that construction schedules have once again been pushed back.
At present, the Belgian navy operates two frigates, the Leopold I (frigate) and the Louise-Marie (frigate), both of which have recently participated in NATO operations in the Baltic Sea and other missions.
However, both ships are nearing the end of their operational lifespan and are not expected to remain in service into the mid-2030s, raising concerns about a potential capability gap.
Without timely replacements, Belgium could temporarily lose a key component of its naval forces, prompting discussions within defence circles about possible interim solutions or emergency measures.
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