Belgian frigate Léopold Ier grounded in US after cooling system and compressor failures (opex360.com)

• Frigate missed July 4 naval parade in New York due to engine cooling system failure.
• After reaching New York, new high-pressure air compressor failures caused temporary withdrawal from active service.
• The 1980s-era frigate, soon to be retired, highlights Belgian naval readiness gaps exacerbated by delayed ASWF frigate replacement program.

"The Belgian frigate Léopold Ier, part of NATO's Standing Maritime Group 1, has been immobilized in the United States since early July 2026 due to two separate technical failures. First, a malfunction in the engine cooling system forced the ship to remain in Norfolk, Virginia, causing it to miss the Fourth of July naval parade in New York. After repairs allowed it to reach New York on July 10, new problems emerged with its high-pressure air compressors, leading the Belgian Navy to temporarily withdraw the vessel from service. The frigate, built in the 1980s and acquired second-hand from the Netherlands, is scheduled for retirement in 2028 as part of the delayed ASWF replacement program."