Belgium looks to new frigate builders — including Türkiye — for stalled ASWF programme
Belgium has moved to explore alternative shipyards for its Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) programme, run jointly with the Netherlands, after costs more than doubled and deliveries slipped by years. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken announced that the country will issue a Request for Information (RFI) to shipbuilders in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Türkiye. A final decision on whether Belgium remains in the programme is expected in October.
What went wrong?
ASWF is a four-frigate programme run jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands, with Dutch shipbuilder Damen as prime contractor and Thales as sensor supplier. Launched in 2023 with a total scope of roughly €4 billion, the project has seen Belgium’s per-ship cost rise, according to figures made public, from about €600 million to €1.3 billion — an increase of more than 100 percent.
According to assessments reported in the press, the delays stem from design problems. The first delivery has reportedly slipped from 2027-2028 to 2033-2034, with the original design said to struggle to meet weight and stability requirements.
Why is Türkiye mentioned?
The inclusion of Türkiye among Francken’s list of candidate countries is notable. In recent years the Turkish naval industry has gained momentum, both in domestic projects and export markets, with the ISTIF (I-class) frigates, the TF-2000 air-defence destroyer and the Ada-class corvettes. Players such as STM, Ares Shipyard, Sefine and Anadolu Shipyard have become increasingly visible in international naval tenders.
An RFI is not a binding tender or contract; it is a preliminary step to gauge what shipyards can offer in terms of capability, schedule and cost. Even so, Türkiye being cited as a potential candidate in a NATO member’s frigate procurement points to the competitiveness of the Turkish naval industry in the European market.
Regional and strategic significance
The ASWF frigates are meant to replace Belgium’s current Karel Doorman-class (M-class) frigates, Leopold I and Louise-Marie. Focused on anti-submarine warfare, these next-generation platforms would play an important role in NATO’s deterrence against underwater threats in the North Sea and the Atlantic. The uncertainty around the programme is a current example of how European defence procurement can be reshaped under cost and schedule pressure.
Sources
- Army Recognition — “Belgium seeks new frigate builders as Dutch ASWF partnership faces soaring costs and seven-year delay”, 21 July 2026. Used for candidate countries and the RFI process. Link
- NL Times — “Dutch shipbuilder Damen at risk of also losing Belgian frigate order”, 20 July 2026. Used for cost-increase and delay figures. Link
