Dutch frigate tests first US Tomahawk missile
The Royal Netherlands Navy and the Netherlands Ministry of Defense announced this week the first test-fire of a US Tomahawk missile. This is the next step in the Netherlands’ efforts to enhance the capabilities of its fleet, and the Netherlands has become the fourth country to successfully launch a missile from its ship after the United Kingdom and Australia.
The test was conducted near Norfolk, Virginia, on the east coast of the United States, and was carried out in cooperation with the US Navy and a defense project team. The Netherlands released photos of the missile being launched from the HMS De Ruyter frigate.
The frigate, built by Damen and commissioned in 2004, is one of four frigates deployed by the Netherlands. It has a displacement of 6,000 tons and an operating speed of 30 knots. The Netherlands announced plans to extend the service life of the missile by at least ten years by upgrading the system.
In 2023, the Netherlands announced plans to purchase the US missile system for its frigates and submarines. The United Kingdom has already deployed the system, and in December 2024, Australia tested the first Tomahawk missile on the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Brisbane near the west coast of the United States. Australia and Japan have also submitted applications for future deployment of the system.
“With this launch, the Navy is gathering the necessary information,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense said. “This will eventually allow the Tomahawk missiles to be launched from air defense and command frigates.” According to news reports, the Netherlands hopes to deploy the system by 2027.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that these weapons will give the Royal Navy greater combat power and greater range. The missiles have a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
“Think of command centers, air defense facilities and enemy forces,” the ministry added. They added that the system will give the Navy the ability to eliminate strategic targets in deep waters.
