The Royal Netherlands Navy has launched a Tomahawk cruise missile from one of its De Zeven Provinciën class frigates for the first time on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, the U.S. Navy supervised the launch, which happened off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
“With the test launch, the Navy is gathering necessary information. This is to eventually fire Tomahawks from the air defense and command frigates,” the ministry said in a press release.
The ministry said the Tomahawk cruise missile, with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, will allow the Navy to “destroy strategic targets from the sea.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Dutch State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman said the Tomahawk missile gives the navy the striking power it needs. “Strong deterrence requires strong weapons,” said Tuinman.
Sterke afschrikking vraagt om sterke wapens.
Vandaag heeft https://t.co/r1HRaDxVXY. De Ruyter voor het eerst een Tomahawk-raket gelanceerd. Belangrijke stap om onze marine de slagkracht te geven die nodig is in een veranderende wereld. pic.twitter.com/KN96etWQCK
— Gijs Tuinman (@DefensieStas) March 12, 2025
The Netherlands is now the fourth country to launch a Tomahawk, after the U.S., the U.K., and one undisclosed nation.
In April 2023, the Netherlands announced plans to equip all four De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates and two Walrus-class submarines with Tomahawks. The missiles will be installed using the ships’ existing Mk 41 vertical launching systems.
The Netherlands is also acquiring the AGM-158B JASSM-ER missile for its F-35A fighters and the Israeli-made PULS multiple rocket launcher for its army. The navy’s modernization is scheduled between 2025 and 2029.
