[citation needed] During tests carried out by HNLMS Tromp in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, experimental modifications to the SMART-L to allow even longer range were proven.

The study concluded that – with certain modifications to the SMART-L and APAR, as well as to the ship's Combat Management System and the missile itself – BMD with the De Zeven Provinciën class could be achieved.

[3] The De Zeven Provinciën-class ships will get the new SMART-L Mk 2 radar that can detect ballistic missiles at a range of 2,000 km (1,200 mi).

The Dutch minister promised also that the APAR radar will have a bigger range than 400 km (250 mi) as the Netherlands is the first country to participate as an active missile shield for NATO.

[citation needed] In late 2011, the Ministry of Defence announced a modernization program to upgrade the SMART-L early-warning radar so that De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates can detect and track ballistic missiles at extended range.

[6] In the Strategic Defence Review 2022 the acquisition of SM-3 and BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles was announced for which the Mk 41 vertical launch systems will be expanded with an additional unit of 8 cells.

In a new defense Study published by the Dutch government in March 2018, it was stated the frigates will receive a new surface-to-surface missile to succeed the Harpoon Block 1D.

Proposals to equip the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates with a total of 32 BGM-109 Tomahawk (8 per ship) cruise missiles were evaluated, but these were shelved in May 2005[7] but reconfirmed in 2022.

In November 2003, some 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) from the Azores, the missile guidance capabilities were tested with live firings for the first time.

[1] The long-range SM-2 engagement apparently resulted in an intercept at a range of greater than 100 km (62 mi) from the ship, with a missile-target miss distance of 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) (the warhead's proximity fuse having been disabled for the purposes of the test).

[1] During the military exercise Formidable Shield 2021, HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën detected and tracked a ballistic missile with Thales-made SMART-L MM radar and relayed the target information to USS Paul Ignatius for SM-3 engagement.

[The RNLN has] reported great success using tailored surface-search software for the APAR sets fitted to the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates deployed on antipiracy roles.