Belgium Considers Alternatives for Frigate Program Amid Rising Costs and Delays
Belgium's Defence Minister announced an RFI for new frigate designs as costs for the ASWF project surge to over €2.5 billion. A decision on potentially exiting the ASWF program will be made in October 2026, amid concerns over operational capabilities and delivery timelines.
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Belgium is set to issue a Request for Information (RFI) to shipbuilders in five nations as costs for two ASWF frigates escalate from €1.2 billion to over €2.5 billion due to design changes and delays. Initial deliveries have slipped from 2027-2028 to 2033-2034, reflecting a cumulative delay of six to seven years.
The review's goal is to assess whether alternative surface combatants can be operational before the retirement of Belgium's Karel Doorman-class frigates in 2034, without compromising NATO's operational requirements. The current ASWF design has increased in size to 145 meters and over 6,600 tonnes, complicating the project further. The rising costs and delays highlight the risks of relying on aging naval assets, with a potential impact on Belgium's defense readiness.
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