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HNLMS Karel Doorman (F827)
Encyclopedia
The F930 Leopold I is a Karel Doorman class
frigate
of the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces
. Prior to 29 March 2007, the ship was known as the HNLMS Karel Doorman (F827). It is one of the two frigates of this class that was purchased from the Royal Netherlands Navy
on 22 December 2005.
The F930 Leopold I is currently commanded by Frigate Captain Renaud Flamant. The rank of Frigate Captain
in the Belgian Naval Component is equivalent to the rank of Commander
in the Royal Navy
and the United States Navy
.
of multi-purpose frigate
s (also known as "M-fregat" class). She was the third ship in the Royal Netherlands Navy
to be named after admiral Karel Doorman
, who was killed during the battle of the Java Sea
. It was laid down on 26 February 1985, launched on 20 April 1988 and commissioned on 31 May 1991.
She took part in anti-drug operations in the Caribbean together with the U.S. Navy, was part of the UN operations in the Adriatic Sea
during the conflicts in the former republics of Yugoslavia
, as well as various NATO exercises.
(Wielingen and Westdiep) currently in service with the Belgian Naval Component. On 22 December 2005, Karel Doorman and Willem van der Zaan were sold to Belgium
.
The HNLMS Karel Doorman was taken out of service in 2006 and turned over to the Belgian Naval Component on 29 March 2007 when it was christened
the F930 Leopold I, in honour of the first King of the Belgians, by Queen Fabiola of Belgium
at the Zeebrugge
Naval Base. The patronage of the F930 Leopold I was accepted by the city of Nivelles
. The Willem van der Zaan was commissioned into the Belgian Naval Component as the F931 Louise-Marie
in April 2008.
on 5 September 2007, with destination East Africa. The operation was given the appropriate codename East African Venture. On 30 November 2007 it arrived back at its home port of Zeebrugge, marking the end of its first operational deployment in Belgian service.
Karel Doorman class frigate
The Karel Doorman class is a class of eight multi-purpose frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The class is also known as the "Multi-purpose" or M class....
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
of the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces
Military of Belgium
The Belgian Army is the national military of Belgium. The Belgian Army was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830...
. Prior to 29 March 2007, the ship was known as the HNLMS Karel Doorman (F827). It is one of the two frigates of this class that was purchased from 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...
on 22 December 2005.
The F930 Leopold I is currently commanded by Frigate Captain Renaud Flamant. The rank of Frigate Captain
Frigate Captain
Frigate captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of commander.Countries using this rank include Argentina and Spain , France , Belgium , Italy ,...
in the Belgian Naval Component is equivalent to the rank of Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
HNLMS Karel Doorman
The HNLMS Karel Doorman was the first ship of the Karel Doorman classKarel Doorman class frigate
The Karel Doorman class is a class of eight multi-purpose frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The class is also known as the "Multi-purpose" or M class....
of multi-purpose frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s (also known as "M-fregat" class). She was the third ship in 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...
to be named after admiral Karel Doorman
Karel Doorman
Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman was a Dutch Rear Admiral who commanded ABDACOM Naval forces, a hastily-organized multinational naval force formed to defend the East Indies against an overwhelming Imperial Japanese attack. Doorman was killed and the main body of ABDACOM Naval forces destroyed...
, who was killed during the battle of the Java Sea
Battle of the Java Sea
The Battle of the Java Sea was a decisive naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, that sealed the fate of the Netherlands East Indies....
. It was laid down on 26 February 1985, launched on 20 April 1988 and commissioned on 31 May 1991.
She took part in anti-drug operations in the Caribbean together with the U.S. Navy, was part of the UN operations in the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
during the conflicts in the former republics of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, as well as various NATO exercises.
Sale to Belgium
On 20 July 2005, the Belgian government decided to buy two of the remaining six Dutch M-class frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the Wielingen classWielingen class frigate
The Wielingen class is a class of four multi-functional frigates built for the Belgian Navy. The ships are named after sandbanks in the North Sea, not far from the Belgian coast, or sea routes. The lead ship is named after the Wielingen sandbank....
(Wielingen and Westdiep) currently in service with the Belgian Naval Component. On 22 December 2005, Karel Doorman and Willem van der Zaan were sold to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
The HNLMS Karel Doorman was taken out of service in 2006 and turned over to the Belgian Naval Component on 29 March 2007 when it was christened
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
the F930 Leopold I, in honour of the first King of the Belgians, by Queen Fabiola of Belgium
Queen Fabiola of Belgium
Queen Fabiola of Belgium is the widow of King Baudouin of Belgium. She was Queen consort of the Belgians for 33 years...
at the Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge is a village on the coast of Belgium and a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. Zeebrugge serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach.-Location:...
Naval Base. The patronage of the F930 Leopold I was accepted by the city of Nivelles
Nivelles
Nivelles is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. The Nivelles municipality includes the old communes of Baulers, Bornival, Thines, and Monstreux....
. The Willem van der Zaan was commissioned into the Belgian Naval Component as the F931 Louise-Marie
F931 Louise-Marie
The F931 Louise-Marie is a Karel Doorman class frigate of the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces that was commissioned in 2008...
in April 2008.
East African venture
The F930 Leopold I embarked upon its first official mission for the Naval ComponentBelgian Navy
The Marine Component of the Belgian Army, formerly the Belgian Naval Force, is the naval service of Belgium.-Early history:The Belgian Navy was created as the Marine Royale in 1831. This force has operated in various forms throughout Belgian history.When after the Belgian Revolution, the country...
on 5 September 2007, with destination East Africa. The operation was given the appropriate codename East African Venture. On 30 November 2007 it arrived back at its home port of Zeebrugge, marking the end of its first operational deployment in Belgian service.
See also
- HNLMS Karel DoormanHNLMS Karel DoormanFour ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been named Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman after Admiral Karel Doorman:* The first Karel Doorman , originally escort carrier HMS Nairana, was the Netherlands' first aircraft carrier....
, for other ships that had the name Karel Doorman. - F931 Louise-MarieF931 Louise-MarieThe F931 Louise-Marie is a Karel Doorman class frigate of the Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces that was commissioned in 2008...
, for the other ship of this class that was sold to Belgium.