The Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Naval has brought the German supplier Renk on board for an order for new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates.
Renk has been commissioned to supply the transmission systems for the new frigates, Damen announced today.
The Dutch shipyard is building four new frigates, two each for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy. The order includes eight gearboxes, which are part of the CODLAD (COmbined Diesel-eLectric And Diesel) propulsion system. There is “a special connection to the Netherlands”, it continues, as the Renk subsidiary Schelde Gears is to provide support with the design and services.
Damen Naval and Renk have reportedly developed a propulsion solution that meets the requirements of an anti-submarine warfare frigate. The solution focuses on quiet propulsion and high resistance to external influences.
Renk has been working with Damen for a long time
“We have been working with Renk for a long time and are delighted to have them on board for this project too,” said Damen Naval project manager Joop Noordijk. The ASW frigates are said to be “second to none” in terms of design and capabilities. “We are in the process of finding our suppliers and partners for this project, and we are particularly pleased that this order has a connection with Schelde Gears that is so close to us,” the manager continued.
Damen Naval already uses Renk’s propulsion solutions for the German F126 multi-purpose combat frigates for the German Navy and the Sigma-class frigates deployed worldwide. With this order, the ASW frigates will now also be added.
“This propulsion system sets a milestone in the marine segment, and this order fits seamlessly into the close cooperation between our two companies,” says Nils Oesterlen, Head of Marine at Renk. Proven components from propulsion systems such as the German F125 and F126 frigates, the Italian FREMM or the Korean FFX-III class would make the gearboxes the robust, maintenance-friendly and reliable heart of the propulsion system.
The first gearboxes are scheduled to be installed in October 2025 with the first ASW frigate expected to be delivered by Damen Naval in 2028.
Damen Naval is also working with the German maritime industry as part of the frigate newbuilding project – and can imagine more cooperation with local shipyards in the future, as Magiel Venema, Head of Damen Naval Germany, explained exclusively on HANSA PODCAST. Listen to the whole episode for free here:
