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]