Known as TRIFIC (The Rapidly Increased Firepower Capability), the concept is now being studied in detail by the Netherlands Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT, formerly known as DMO) ahead of a procurement decision.
TRIFIC
Speaking at the Combined Naval Event (CNE) 2023 conference in Farnborough on 24 May, Captain André van der Kamp, Head of Maritime Projects in COMMIT, said that the TRIFIC project was currently “looking into the possibility of adding one or two simple low-manned surface vessels, with modules on board, to augment the firepower or complement the sensors on our frigates.”
“The idea is that this can be ready within a few years to add to the strike capability within our fleet. Operating with a very small crew, these vessels would sail alongside our major units.”
Captain André van der Kamp
Generic graphics accompanying Captain Van der Kamp’s presentation showed a TRIFIC concept based on a commercial fast crew supply vessel hull outfitted with a series of containerised payloads. Potential options include a containerised vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles; box launchers for loitering munitions; and a containerised electronic support measures/electronic countermeasures fit. Further extensions could include strike or anti-ship missiles, underwater modules, or extra sensors.
LPX
Captain Van der Kamp also outlined the RNLN’s evolving thinking on a replacement amphibious shipping capability, dubbed LPX. Tentatively planned to enter service from the early 2030s to replace HNLMS Rotterdam and HNLMS Johan de Witt, these new ships are also expected to assume the patrol and surveillance tasks currently performed by the navy’s four Holland class patrol vessels.
According to Captain Van der Kamp, the reorientation of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (called Future Force Design) towards a more agile and flexible force design put an emphasis on “leaner and smaller units that would unload further away from land.” He added: “We would combine these amphibious ships with the function of a patrol vessel to do Coastguard patrols in the Caribbean and counter-drugs operations in the Caribbean.”
