BAE Systems has secured a contract with the Netherlands’ Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) to deliver eight Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems for the Royal Netherlands and Belgian Navies.
This acquisition is part of a joint programme to outfit each country’s new anti-submarine warfare frigates, with each navy set to receive two frigates, each equipped with two gun systems.
The agreement includes installation, training, spares, and tools, with an option for BAE Systems’ 3P programmable ammunition and additional guns for training. Delivery of the first system is scheduled for 2026.
“This key milestone will ensure the new frigates have the cutting-edge capabilities they require, with the addition of our advanced 3P ammunition,” stated Stefan Löfström, marketing and sales director at BAE Systems Bofors. “BAE Systems continues to support our NATO allies by delivering enhanced capabilities to help keep Europe safe.”
The Bofors 40Mk4, say its builders, is a versatile, lightweight naval gun designed to engage both aerial and surface threats. Its design allows for seamless switching between ammunition types, enhancing response options across different combat scenarios in air, land, and sea environments. BAE add that the 40mm Bofors 3P programmable ammunition provides flexibility, featuring six function modes to adapt to mission-specific requirements.
We should fit these to the Batch 2 Rivers which would have added benefit by freeing up their DS30M for QE and PoW, currently fitted for not with.
Agreed seems like an easy fix, other than having to take each river out of circulation to refit. I don’t think there’s deck penetration with the 40mm but others more knowledgeable on here will know.
I wonder if it would save time, modification, and money if they put the Tridon Mk2 system (Bofors but with Chess Dynamics Hawkeye EO system and fire-control system on the turret) on the River class.
The Bofors is a substantial below decks installation.
Plus….the brand new DS30M for the QE Class have already been ordered and delivered…they’re in storage…
Not necessarily
There’s a non penetrating option which stores 100 rounds of ammo in a flat magazine inside the turret ring.
Once again CTA 40 naval version not selected due to cost of rounds !