Future Dutch Navy offshore patrol vessels
Encyclopedia
The Holland class Offshore Patrol Vessels are new patrol boat
Patrol boat
A patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
s under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. They are designed to fulfil patrol and intervention tasks against lightly armed opponents, such as pirates and smugglers.
History
A contract between the Royal Dutch Navy and Damen Schelde Naval ShipbuildingDamen Group
Damen is a Dutch shipbuilding company which was founded in 1927 by Jan and Marinus Damen in a self-built workshop. In 1954 their 200th ship was delivered.-History:...
in Vlissingen, the Netherlands was signed in 2007 for the construction of four vessels at a total cost of €467.8 million.
The vessels resulted from the Dutch Ministry of Defence's Marinestudie. The study proposes the sale of four existing Karel Doorman class frigates, and using the proceeds and savings of the sale to commission four dedicated patrol vessels, allow the building of a more capable Joint Support Ship to replace the AOR HNLMS Zuiderkruis, and reintroducing a mine-sweeping capability to the Dutch Navy.
The vessels are planned to be deployed to the Caribbean region and the North Sea. They have the capability to carry out missions such as anti-piracy and blockade duties, and also can be used for emergency transport.
Armament
The Holland Class' main armament is a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid gun with a firing rate of 120 rounds per minute and an effective range of 16 km.Secondary armament is provided by a 30mm Oto Melara Marlin WS, two 12.7mm Oto Melara Hitrole NTs and two 12.7mm M2HB machine guns. All can be remotely operated.
Sensor suite
The ships are able to monitor 140 nm using a Thales Integrated Sensor and Communication Systems (ISCS), comprising a SeaMaster 400 air warning radar, a Watcher 100 active phased-array surface detection and tracking radar, a mine detection sonar and an infra-red Gatekeeper/electro-optical (EO) warning system. The sensor systems are housed in an integrated mast, also provided by Thales, called the I-Mast 400. Thales also built the satellite communications system for the ships.Propulsion
The Holland class is fitted with a combined electric or diesel (CODELOD) propulsion system built by WärtsiläWärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a Finnish corporation which manufactures and services power sources and other equipment in the marine and energy markets. The core products of Wärtsilä include large combustion engines...
. It comprises two Wärtsilä 12V26 diesel rated at 5,400 kW each, combined with electric motors that drive a controllable pitch propeller through two shafts. Electric operation is used mainly for low-speed operation.
Specifications
Holland-class ships have a tonnage of 3,750 tons, are 108.4 metres (355.6 ft) in length, 16 metres (52.5 ft) in beam and have a draft of 4.55 metres (14.9 ft). The ships have a speed of 21.5 knots and a range of 5000 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship's complement is 50 crew, as well as up to 40 people for duties such as helicopter or medical crew.Other characteristics
The ships are built to a design that is intended to reduce the ability of radar to detect them, as well improving seakeeping by locating the superstructure unusually far aft. The ships are painted a new light blue-gray color, which supposedly has a better camouflage-effect then the standard light-grey paint used by other RNN-ships. The ships also carry two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and an NH-90 helicopter.Ships in class
The projected number of ships for the class is four; they are planned to be commissioned between 2011 and 2013. On December 20, 2007 the contract was signed for four ships at a cost of around €467.8 million. The ships will be named after Dutch provinces of historical maritime importance.| Pennant number | Ship | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P840 | Holland | 8 December 2008 | 2 February 2010 | 12 May 2011 |
| P841 | Zeeland | 5 October 2009 | 20 November 2010 | 20 October 2011 |
| P842 | Friesland | 26 November 2009 | 4 November 2010 | tbd |
| P843 | Groningen | 9 April 2010 | 21 April 2011 | tbd |
Holland (P840)
Holland was laid down on 8 December 2008, launched on 2 February 2010 and commissioned on 12 May 2011. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen.Zeeland (P841)
Zeeland was laid down on 5 October 2009 and launched on 20 November 2010. She began sea trials on 31 August 2011. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen. Zeeland was delivered on 20 October 2011, and is to enter service after final fitting out and the installation of her mast.Friesland (P842)
Friesland was laid down on 26 November 2009 and launched on 4 November 2010. She began sea trials on 27 September 2011, and is scheduled for delivery in February 2012. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in GalațiGalati
Galați is a city and municipality in Romania, the capital of Galați County. Located in the historical region of Moldavia, in the close vicinity of Brăila, Galați is the largest port and sea port on the Danube River and the second largest Romanian port....
.
