The propulsion description combines diesel-electric drive with direct diesel drive and omits gas turbines. That arrangement is considered suitable for a ship expected to travel long distances and provide an ASW escort. The Chinese Type 054 is used as another example of a diesel-powered submarine-hunting ship. Presence deployments, mine-warfare support, and participation in international task groups also inform the assessment. For the Netherlands and Belgium, these missions give the design a coherent purpose. An expanded order should help spread costs, but the reported prices appear to have fallen less than expected.
Chapter · 10:19-12:16
Diesel propulsion and the ASWF escort mission
Diesel-electric and direct diesel drive are assessed against the endurance and allied-task-group work expected of Dutch and Belgian frigates.