Holland-class offshore patrol vessels

The Holland-class offshore patrol vessels are new offshore patrol vessels under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy. They are designed to fulfill 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 Shipbuilding 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 (A832), and reintroducing a mine-sweeping capability to the Dutch Navy.

The vessels are planned to be deployed to the Caribbean region, the South China Sea 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 rapid cannon, two 12.7mm Oto Melara Hitrole NT's 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. It comprises two MAN 12V28/33D diesel rated at 5,460 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 m in length, 16 m in beam and have a draft of 4.55 m. 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 than the standard light-grey paint used by other RNLN-ships. The ships

have a hangar and flightdeck for an NH-90 helicopter and also carry two Fast Raiding Interception Special forces Craft (FRISC), with a speed of more than 40 knots.

Beside these special forces crafts, the Holland class has an improved internal communication infrastructure and is more resistant to the use of resources, which are characteristic for asymmetric warfare.

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.

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. On 16 November 2011 she was the first ship in her class to receive the Thales Integrated Mast IM-400. The ship entered service during the 2012 Dutch navy days in Den Helder.

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 received her sensormast in December 2012. To enter service after final fitting out and finishing trials. Commissioning of the Zeeland is scheduled for 23/08/2013 at Vlissingen.

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 she was delivered to the Defense Material Organisation (DMO) on 11 April 2012. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați. On 26 April 2012, she assisted in the rescue of a sail training vessel off Iona while participating in an international exercise.

Groningen (P843)
Groningen was laid down on 9 April 2010 and launched on 21 April 2011. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați.