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Belgian frigate Louise-Marie back in the game
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
Belgian frigate Louise-Marie (F931) carried out the launch of the Sea Sparrow missile in the waters off the coast of Andøya, northern Norway, as part of the Formidable Shield 2025 exercise. The shooting was carried out after the 2024 malfunction was removed, which temporarily restricted the unit's combat readiness.
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Battle readiness on the frigate Louise-Marie – Sea Sparrow missile launch
On 7 May, during the exercises of the Formidable Shield 2025 conducted off the coast of Norway, from the frigate Louise-Marie An anti-aircraft missile has been fired RIM-7 Sea Sparrow From the vertical launcher Mk 48. The launch had not only a training dimension, but, above all, was the end of the restricted combat preparedness period associated with the technical incident last year. The shooting took place in the northern waters, in an area particularly important for the presence of NATO allies.
At the time, according to Belgian sources, one of the missiles was stuck in the VLS launcher, which forced a temporary reduction in the ability to engage in anti-aircraft defense combat activities. Confirmed a few days ago, the success of the test in practice conditions means that the frigate can again perform tasks within the integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) integrated architecture.
The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, which is an adaptation of the AIM-7 system to sea use, remains equipped with many NATO ships, despite the gradual introduction of a newer version of RIM-162 ESSM. The launch of the Sea Sparrow missile during the Formidable Shield, after previous technical problems, should be regarded as a full restoration of the ship's capability to operate in the air defense system.
Background exercises Formidable Shield 2025
Formidable Shield 2025 is the largest NATO exercise this year in the field of integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), conducted by STRIKFORNATO and 6th USS Fleet. The maneuvers are held cyclically every two years, and this year's edition lasts from 3 to 25 May. 16 submarines, 27 aircraft and more than 6,900 soldiers from 11 States of the Alliance participate in the exercise.
Exercises began at a naval range off the coast of Andøya, after which their essential part was transferred to the Hebrids' waters. The main elements of the scenario include the repelling of air strikes under multi-domain conditions, using real-world weapons and fully integrated command systems.
Among the key elements of this year's edition were scenarios of resisting threats from ballistic missiles and maneuverers – both subsonic and supersonic. From an operational perspective, it is crucial to integrate detection systems, means of destruction and communication in real time – not only inside the marine teams, but also in close interaction with components of air and land forces.
History and importance of Belgian frigate
Fregata Louise-Marie, operating from Zeebrugge base, is one of two Karel Doorman units serving the Belgian Navy. The unit was built for Koninklijke Marine as HNLMS Willem van der Zaan (F829) and in 2005 transferred to the Belgian Navy. She's been on missions for years. NATO and European Union, w tym m.in. w operacjach Atalanta, Sophia, Aspides i Joint Viking. W ostatnich miesiącach okręt działał w rejonie Bałtyku w ramach misji Baltic Sentry, skupionej na ochronie infrastruktury podmorskiej.
Okręt wyposażony jest w systemy obserwacji technicznej firmy Thales, w tym radar SMART-S Mk2, radar kierowania ogniem STIR 1.8, radar SeaWatcher 100 oraz system elektrooptyczny Gatekeeper. Dysponuje również pełnym zakresem uzbrojenia do zwalczania celów powietrznych, nawodnych i podwodnych. Zdolność do przenoszenia śmigłowca NH90 w wersji ZOP oraz system obrony bezpośredniej Goalkeeper kal. 30 mm, uzupełniają jego funkcjonalność jako platformy wielozadaniowej średniego zasięgu.
The role of the smaller Allied fleets in NATO's defence system
Wbrew częstym opiniom o marginalnym znaczeniu mniejszych flot sojuszniczych, takie jednostkix jak Louise-Marie stanowią istotne ogniwo w strukturach NATO (IAMD). Udowodniona interoperacyjność, potwierdzona w ćwiczeniu o wysokim stopniu realizmu, jakim jest Formidable Shield, pokazuje, że każda jednostka – niezależnie od bandery – może odgrywać kluczową rolę w zapewnianiu bezpieczeństwa morskiego. Dla Belgii, jak i dla innych państw eksponowanych na zagrożenia w rejonie Morza Północnego, Arktyki i Bałtyku, utrzymanie realnej gotowości bojowej na morzu nie jest kwestią prestiżu, lecz koniecznością.
Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz
