A Royal Netherlands Navy frigate test-launched a Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time recently as part of an information gathering effort about the missile.
The US Navy-led launch from the HNLMS De Ruyter air defense and command frigate took place off the coast of Norfolk in the US.
It was intended to help the Dutch Navy integrate the missile onto the De Zeven Provincien-class frigate.
Only the Royal Navy currently operates the long-range missile in Europe.
In 2023, the Netherlands announced plans to procure the Tomahawk, which has a range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
The Block IV Tomahawk Land Attack variant can strike targets over 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) away.
“With the Tomahawk long-range weapons, the navy can eliminate targets deep inland from the sea,” the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) wrote in a press release.
“Think of command centres, anti-aircraft installations and enemy units.
The missiles have a range of more than 1,000 kilometres. The weapon gives the Royal Navy extra combat power. This contributes to the deterrence of potential opponents.”
Tomahawk for Dutch Navy
The missile procurement is part of a larger defense spending package by the MoD on a slew of weapons, including the Israeli PULS (Precise and Universal Launch System) system and the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range).
The Tomahawk will significantly enhance the firepower of the De Zeven Provincien class, which is armed with the Harpoon anti-ship missile with a range of about 100 kilometers (62 miles).
Additional weapons the warship is equipped with include a 40-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) for the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIA air defense missiles and a pair of twin launchers for Mk 46 torpedoes.
The Tomahawk is compatible with the Mk 41 VLS.
In addition to the four De Zeven Provincien frigates, the Tomahawk is expected to be installed on the three Walrus-class submarines of the Dutch Navy.
The first Dutch frigate is reportedly expected to be equipped with the missile in 2027 and the first submarine in 2029.
The country is reportedly expected to spend up to 2.5 billion euros ($2.71 billion) on cruise missiles over the next 12 years.
