Schelde Awarded Contract for Patrol Vessels

The Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organization (DMO) and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding signed a contract for the supply of four Patrol Vessels. The contract has a value of 240 million euros. The four Patrol Vessels will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy, and are to be delivered in a time-frame between November 2010 and November 2012. The Patrol Vessels fulfil the operational requirements of the Royal Netherlands Navy for a robust platform with a limited weapon outfit, specifically designed for coastal patrol missions and maritime defence tasks in the territorial waters and EEZ of The Netherlands, The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The first two vessels will be built at Schelde’s premises in Vlissingen, whereas the construction of the third and fourth vessel will largely take place at Damen Shipyard Galatz under supervision of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. The contract marks the ongoing, intensive relation between the Royal Netherlands Navy and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding over many decades. It also highlights the outstanding reputation of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding as a major naval shipbuilder of patrol vessels, fast-attack craft and corvettes.