The Future Air Defender (FuAD) was a joint program from the Dutch and German navies to find a common replacement for both the De Zeven Provinciën and the Sachsen-class frigate.

[2][3][4] On 17 December 2020 the Dutch Secretary for Defence Barbara Visser and her German counterpart Benedikt Zimmer signed an agreement to jointly work towards a replacement for the De Zeven Provinciën and Sachsen-class frigate.

To avoid a permanent break in the partnership a project organization was formed to set up a directory of requirements and building rules both countries can accept.

[11] Christophe van der Maat said in the same November 7 defence meeting that another possibility to move forward with the FuAD program is to look for additional partners.

Tas elaborated by saying multiple letters of intent were signed with Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway and Sweden to, in terms of naval ship building, collaborate on future weapon systems.