Defence firm Ultra Maritime has won a €125 million contract to supply sonar systems for the new anti-submarine warfare frigates being built for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and the Belgian Navy.
As per a recent Ultra Maritime press statement, the multinational firm — which has bases in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia — will equip the next-generation ASWF vessels with its Low-Frequency Active Passive Sonar (LFAPS) sonar suite.
The Canadian arm of the firm has just announced the CA$200 million contract to supply the LFAPS system, which includes both its Sea Lancer in-line and Sea Sabre towed body variable depth sonars.
The press statement described the system as “a powerful combination of sensors that provide unparalleled ASW and torpedo-defence capabilities optimized for both deep water and littoral operations, ensuring the ability to detect even the quietest submarines and torpedo threats in the harshest of environments.”
In-line (a.k.a hull-mounted) sonar systems are fixed to the hull and project sound waves directly beneath a ship, whereas towed-array versions are pulled along on cables and can be positioned at varying depths and distances, offering greater flexibility and range.
Ultra Maritime claims the LFAPS system is unique, characterising it as “the world’s only combination of an in-line Horizontal Projector Array with a conventional towed body.”
The ASWF ships are a €4 billion joint project between the RNLN and the Belgian Navy to replace their existing multipurpose frigates.
Four ships are being built by Damen Naval: two for each navy. The first of the two ASWFs destined for the Koninklijke Marine is scheduled to be delivered in 2029, with the first Belgian Navy frigate due the following year.
The 145m frigates will each displace about 6,650 tons, and are expected to carry both an MH90 helicopter and an uncrewed air system (UAS) and uncrewed surface vessel (USV).
- You can read more details about the sonar deal on the Ultra Maritime website
