Defence
Belgian Navy Seeks Alternative to Damen Frigates
The Belgian navy has initiated a market exploration to replace Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards for the construction of two frigates, citing project delays and cost overruns. While Damen previously secured a joint order with the Netherlands in 2018, Belgium is now considering Italian builder Fincantieri due to its ability to deliver quickly at acceptable costs. This potential withdrawal represents a significant blow to Damen, which recently lost a major contract for the German navy. Although the Belgian government seeks an exit from the billion-euro contract, the Dutch navy maintains that cooperation with Damen remains vital for national strategic autonomy.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's