Problematic ships: Denmark proposes to abandon modernization of Iver Huitfeldt class frigates

In Denmark, the defense commander recommends abandoning the modernization of the Ivar Huitfeldt class frigates, which have serious technical issues.

According to the Danish newspaper Hartpunkt, these are the Iver Huitfeldt class frigates of the Danish Navy.

General Michael Viggers Hildegård, the Danish Defense Commander, says that the country should focus on purchasing new frigates.

The fleet includes three ships of this class: Iver Huitfeldt, Peter Willemoes and Niels Juel.

Frigates are classified as air defense ships. They are armed with two 76 mm OTO Melara guns, one 35 mm Oerlikon Millennium close combat system, and a total of 44 vertical launchers for RIM-66 SM-2 and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles.

These weapons are complemented by Harpoon anti-ship missiles and MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes. The ships also have a platform for the Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter.

The defense chief’s recommendation to abandon the modernization of these seemingly combat-ready ships is based on three factors.

First, on March 9, 2024, during deployment in the Red Sea, the air defense systems of the Iver Huitfeldt frigate suffered serious failures. In particular, there was a software malfunction in the missile fire control system, which put the missiles out of action for about 30 minutes.

For more than a year, technicians have been trying to fix these malfunctions.

Secondly, in addition to routine repairs, the ships need a large-scale modernization of sensors and fire control systems, which is estimated to cost several billion Danish kroner (hundreds of millions of euros).

Thirdly, the purchase of new air defense frigates – as a replacement or addition to the Iver Huitfeldt class – is already envisaged in the second phase of the national Fleet Plan.

At the same time, according to the recommendation of the Defense Commander, the Iver Huitfeldt class frigates should not be scrapped or sold, but rather repurposed.

In particular, it is proposed to reduce their combat capabilities and turn them into long-range patrol ships – in addition to the smaller Diana-class patrol ships of the Danish Navy.

Carsten Bach, the Liberal Alliance party’s defense spokesperson, emphasized that the acquisition of new frigates is a priority, as the Iver Huitfeldt class ships apparently proved to be unprepared for combat missions.

Denmark is also now reorienting the design of future patrol ships to perform tasks in the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean, thus strengthening its presence in Greenland.