Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate

The class is built on the experience gained from the Absalon-class frigates. By reusing the basic hull design of the Absalon class, the Royal Danish Navy has been able to construct the Iver Huitfeldt class considerably cheaper than comparable ships. ==Design==

The frigates are compatible with the Royal Danish Navy's StanFlex modular mission payload system used in the Absalons, and they are designed with slots for six modules, four of which on the missile deck. These positions usually accommodate the Mark 141 8-cell Harpoon launcher module, or the 12-cell Mark 56 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Vertical Launching System (VLS), in addition to a fixed 32-cell Mark 41 vertical launching system replacing the 5th module located there on the Absalons. The Absalon-class ships are primarily designed for command, support, and ASW roles, with a large ro-ro deck. The three newer Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates are equipped for an air defence role with Standard Missiles, as well as the potential to use Tomahawk cruise missiles, a first for the Royal Danish Navy. The ships were constructed in blocks in Estonia and Lithuania to control costs. These blocks were then towed to the Odense Steel Shipyard where they were assembled. The primary anti-air weapons are the medium-range ESSM and the area defence SM-2 IIIA. The Mk 41 VLS is used to house and launch these missiles. Depending on the number of Harpoon launchers installed, up to 24 ESSMs and 32 SM-2 IIIAs or SM-6s may be carried. In 2025, the Royal Danish Navy began replacing its Harpoon missile systems on Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), through a 2.1 billion NOK deal with Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The upgrade aims to enhance Denmark's long-range strike capabilities and aligns its systems with NATO standards. == Operational history ==

On the 9th of March, 2024, the title-bearer of the class, Ivar Huitfeld, suffered several weapon guidance and ordnance errors when taking part in a US-led operation to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea. During an attempt to launch Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles against drone targets, the APAR radar locked and prevented use of the missiles. When the OTO Melara gun had to be used instead, the shells suffered untimely detonations. Despite these errors, the ship successfully destroyed all targets. On the 27th of March, 2025, on account of the significant issues experienced with the combat management system and the APAR radar, as well the significant cost associated with a Mid Life Update, the entire class of ships were reportedly considered for a downgrade and role-change, leaving space for a new class of air defense frigates. If effectuated, this would see the class of ships in a smaller Baltic Sea patrol role instead. ==List of ships==

, August 2012 Australia The builder's successor, OMT, suggested the type for the Procurement programme of the Royal Australian Navy's frigates, but built in Australia and modified for anti-submarine warfare. They were suggested for the Royal New Zealand Navy, as they currently operate modified s similar to those of the Royal Australian Navy. However, OMT was not among the three warship designers shortlisted by Australia for the SEA 5000 frigate program in April 2016. Canada The Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate was a contender in the Canadian Single Class Surface Combatant Project. United Kingdom In late May 2018 a consortium of Babcock International, BMT Group and Thales Group announced the "Arrowhead 140" design, based on the hull of the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, for the Royal Navy Type 31e frigate programme. In September 2019, it was announced that the Arrowhead 140 design had been selected for the Type 31 frigate. Indonesia In March 2019, a variant of Denmark's Iver Huitfeldt class emerged as a front-runner for the Indonesian Navy's two-frigate acquisition programme. The Indonesian Navy expected to purchase two Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, with a budget plan of US$720 million for its MEF Phase 3 in 2020–2024. Indonesian officials and Ministry of Defense officials held multiple meetings about the ships. By 14 March 2019 there was discussion between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Odense Maritime Technology about the technical issues and potential cooperation. Denmark offered a scheme of "transfer of technology" (ToT) to Indonesia, such as modular frigate building designed by BUMN PT PAL. In April 2020, representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, PT PAL shipbuilders and PT Sinar Kokoh Persada, an Indonesian agent for the Danish Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) company, agreed to an opening contract for the procurement of the Danish frigate. Points in the contract include workshare arrangements that will be made after the effective (actual) contract can be realized. In September 2021, Indonesia signed a contract with Babcock for the purchase of the Type 31 frigate design license, which based on the Iver Huitfeldt design, in order to construct 2 frigates locally in Indonesia. ==See also==