Iver Huitfeldt

The class is built on the experience gained from the Absalon-class support ships, and by reusing the basic hull design of the Absalon class the Royal Danish Navy have been able to construct the Iver Huitfeldt class considerably cheaper than comparable ships.[12] The frigates are compatible with the Danish Navy's StanFlex modular mission payload system used in the Absalons, and are designed with slots for six modules. Each of the four stanflex positions on the missile deck is able to accommodate either the Mark 141 8-cell Harpoon launcher module, or the 12-cell Mark 56 ESSM VLS.[13] The Peter Willemoes passed the British Flag Officer Sea Training test in 2015.[14]

While the Absalon-class ships are primarily designed for command and support roles, with a large ro-ro deck, the three new Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates will be equipped for an air defence role with Standard Missiles, and the potential to use Tomahawk cruise missiles,[15] a first for the Danish Navy.

The ships were constructed in blocks in Estonia and Lithuania. These blocks were then towed to Odense where they were assembled. [16]

The builder's successor, OMT, suggests the type for the Procurement programme of the Royal Australian Navy's frigates, but built in Australia and modified for anti-submarine warfare.[17] (along with the RNZN as they have a preference to operate the same type of frigate as the RAN). However OMT was not among the three warship designers shortlisted by Australia for the SEA 5000 frigate program in april 2016.

The Iver Huitfeldt class frigate is however still a contender in the Canadian Single Class Surface Combatant Project.[3]