Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën Frigate Tracks Ballistic Missile

Isa Khan · May 31, 2021

The Royal Netherlands Navy announced that the SMART-L Multi Mission/Naval radar aboard HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën was used to eliminate a ballistic missile, marking a first in Europe. This was carried out during exercise Formidable Shield 2021.

Xavier Vavasseur 31 May 2021
The LCF Frigate achieved a first in Europe thanks to its SMART-L MM/N Radar

According to the RNLN, the new SMART-L Multi Mission/Naval radar can detects ballistic missiles up to 2,000 kilometers away. The ship can then can pass on the tracking and detection data to other sea-based or land-defense BMD assets, including U.S. Navy’s warships, that can deal with a ballistic missile threat.

In addition to remote detection, the new SMART-L simultaneously ‘sees’ threats in the airspace. The Zeven Provinciën is able to protect a maritime squadron against anti-ship missiles fired from a distance. For defense against projectiles outside the atmosphere, the Navy needs the Americans. They successfully destroyed a ballistic missile flying 14,000 kilometers per hour through space. This was done with an interceptor missile, fired from the USS Paul Ignatius, but based on the information provided by the SMART-L. The Netherlands itself has no such missiles, which is why a partner took out the ‘enemy’ projectile.

RNLN statement

The Netherlands has been a leader in the field of radar for years. In 2006, the trajectory of a threatening projectile in space was calculated for the first time. At the time, this was done by Holland Signaal, currently Thales. Then, too, there was collaboration with the Americans to destroy the missile. The tests were near Hawaii.