Dutch Navy to upgrade fleet with new amphibious transport ships by 2032

By Defence Industry Europe

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced plans to replace its two large landing ships (LPDs) and four ocean-going patrol vessels (OPVs) with six new-class amphibious transport ships. These new vessels are designed for both modern amphibious operations and warfare conditions, with additional capabilities such as serving as station ships. The transition aims to address the evolving needs of modern amphibious doctrine, emphasizing speed, agility, and minimal logistical support.

 

According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the first of these new amphibious transport ships is expected to enter service in 2032. This move aims to combine and replace the current LPDs, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam and Zr.Ms. Johan de Witt, which are used for amphibious operations, and the Holland-class OPVs, designed for lower-intensity tasks such as drug interdiction in the Caribbean. The decision to unify these classes into a single new class reflects a strategic response to the deteriorating international security environment and the need for vessels capable of operating in high-threat scenarios.

 

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The project, which is aligned with the end-of-service life of the existing vessels, enhances the Royal Netherlands Navy’s operational flexibility and efficiency. By opting for a single class of ship, the navy will achieve greater efficiency and economies of scale in procurement, training, and maintenance.

 

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The Defence Ministry is engaging the Dutch maritime industry in this project, including partnerships with Damen Naval and contributions from Dutch research institutions such as TNO, NLR, and MARIN. Additionally, the project involves close collaboration with the United Kingdom, aiming for interoperability within the UK/NL Amphibious Force through the acquisition of common subsystems.

 

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The new ships are set to gradually replace the existing vessels, with the goal of having each new ship operational as it joins the fleet, starting in 2032 and continuing until the last ship becomes operational in 2038. The Ministry of Defence is exploring measures to extend the service life of the Rotterdam, which is due to reach the end of its operational life in 2028, until the new vessels are ready. The budget for this fleet renewal ranges from EUR 1 billion to EUR 2.5 billion.

 

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