The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) will equip its air defence and command frigates with Raytheon’s Tomahawk cruise missiles — but has decided against using them in its submarines.
As per a recent press statement from the Dutch Ministry of Defence, it has decided not to equip the RNLN’s existing Walrus-class submarines with the missiles because the costs and time required to integrate the new weapon system would make it prohibitive, especially given the remaining lifespan of the platform.
The Walrus-class boats are set to be replaced by the new Orka-class submarines in the mid 2030s; the MoD revealed it will be seeking to arm these with the submarine-launched variant of Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM-SL).
The Netherlands is joining Spain’s existing JSM-SL programme led by Kongsberg to develop the indigenous European cruise missile capability, with a reported aim of achieving operational readiness by 2032.
Dutch State Secretary Gijs Tuinman informed its House of Representatives of these developments while also outlining the plans to strengthen the RNLN’s maritime strike power by integrating Tomahawk cruise missiles onto its air defence and command frigates (LC frigates).
Under the terms of the deal agreed with manufacturer Raytheon, the RNLN will take delivery of its first Tomahawks in 2028. The cruise missile has a range of more than 600 miles, affording the capability to eliminate strategic targets deep inland from the sea.
The purchase follows on from the successful test-firing of a Tomahawk from De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS De Ruyter off the east coast of the U.S. in March this year.
- You can read more details on the Dutch Ministry of Defence website
