Karel Doorman class frigate
Encyclopedia
The Karel Doorman class is a class
of eight multi-purpose frigate
s of the Royal Netherlands Navy
. The class is also known as the "Multi-purpose" or M class.
The ships are named after famous Dutch naval officers, the lead ship
being named after Karel Doorman
.
Their primary surface armament consists of two quad launchers for the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, which has a range of 120 kilometres. Backing this up is a 76 mm Oto Melara
gun, which has both anti-ship and anti-air capabilities.
Air defence is provided by the Sea Sparrow
vertical launch system, which uses semi-active radar to find its target and has a range of 14 km. 16 VLS cells are mounted on the port external bulkhead of the hangar. A Goalkeeper
system provides close-range air defence. It fires 30 mm rounds and can fire up to 4,000 rounds per minute, with a range of 200 metres to 3 km.
For anti submarine warfare, each ship is equipped with two twin torpedo
launchers, firing Mark 46 torpedo
es; and carries one Westland Lynx
helicopter. The helicopter is also armed with 2 Mk 46 torpedoes, and carries dipping sonar and forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems.
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In 2004 two ships, Tjerk Hiddes and Abraham van der Hulst were sold to Chile
and renamed Almirante Riveros (FF-18) and Blanco Encalada (FF-15) respectively. Blanco Encalada commissioned into the Chilean Navy
on 16. December 2005, with Almirante Riveros to be commissioned in April 2007.
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 class
(Wielingen and Westdiep) currently in service with the Belgian Naval Component, which in turn might be sold to Bulgaria
. On 21. December 2005, Karel Doorman and Willem van der Zaan were sold to Belgium and renamed Leopold I (F930) and Louise-Marie (F931) respectively. They will be recommissioned between 2007- 2008.
In May 2006, Portugal
's National Defense Minister, Luís Amado
, showed interest in buying two Karel Doorman class frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the João Belo class
in service with the Portuguese Navy
— instead of buying two frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry class
, offered by the United States
. A committee of the Portuguese government arrived in the Netherlands
to evaluate the condition of two frigates to be bought.
On November 1st 2006, the Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira signed a contract for the purchase of the frigates Van Nes and Van Galen. Van Nes, renamed NRP Bartolomeu Dias
(F333), was transferred to Portugal on January 16, 2009 and Van Galen, renamed NRP Francisco de Almeida
(F334) was transferred on January 15, 2010. http://www.marine.nl/nieuws/?article=/nieuws/persberichten/2006/061101pb_portugaal_koopt_nl_fregatten.html http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/11/20061101_ministerportugal.aspx
With the sale of two M-class frigates to Portugal only two of the eight ships remain with the Dutch Navy.
Ship class
A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....
of eight 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 of 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...
. The class is also known as the "Multi-purpose" or M class.
The ships are named after famous Dutch naval officers, the lead ship
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
being named after 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...
.
Armament
These multi-purpose frigates can be used in the anti-submarine, anti-aircraft or surface combat roles. Their armament reflects that.Their primary surface armament consists of two quad launchers for the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, which has a range of 120 kilometres. Backing this up is a 76 mm Oto Melara
Otobreda 76 mm
The Otobreda 76 mm gun is a naval artillery piece built by the Italian defence conglomerate Otobreda. It is based on the Oto Melara 76mm/L62 Allargato, which was bigger and heavier...
gun, which has both anti-ship and anti-air capabilities.
Air defence is provided by the Sea Sparrow
AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-7 Sparrow is an American, medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as various allied air forces and navies. Sparrow and its derivatives were the West's principal beyond visual...
vertical launch system, which uses semi-active radar to find its target and has a range of 14 km. 16 VLS cells are mounted on the port external bulkhead of the hangar. A Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper CIWS
Goalkeeper is a Dutch close-in weapon system introduced in 1979 and in use , which primarily defends ships against incoming missiles and ballistic shells. This system consists of an autocannon and an advanced radar which in typically six seconds detects incoming fire, determines its trajectory,...
system provides close-range air defence. It fires 30 mm rounds and can fire up to 4,000 rounds per minute, with a range of 200 metres to 3 km.
For anti submarine warfare, each ship is equipped with two twin torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
launchers, firing Mark 46 torpedo
Mark 46 torpedo
Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes, such as the Mark 46 Mod 5, are expected to remain in service until the year 2015...
es; and carries one Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
helicopter. The helicopter is also armed with 2 Mk 46 torpedoes, and carries dipping sonar and forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems.
Ships
All ships were built by Royal Schelde Dockyard| Ship | Pennant number | commissioned | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karel Doorman | F827 | 1991 | sold to Belgium as Leopold I (F930) in 2005 |
| Willem van der Zaan | F829 | 1991 | sold to Belgium as Louise-Marie (F931) in 2005. |
| Tjerk Hiddes | F830 | 1991 | sold to Chile as Almirante Riveros (FF-18) in 2004 |
| Van Amstel HNLMS Van Amstel (F831) HNLMS Van Amstel is a ship of the Karel Doorman class of multi-purpose frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Built by the shipyard Koninklijke Schelde Groep in Vlissingen... |
F831 | 1993 | In Service |
| Abraham van der Hulst | F832 | 1993 | sold to Chile as Blanco Encalada (FF-15) in 2004 |
| Van Nes | F833 | 1994 | sold to Portugal as NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333) in 2006 |
| Van Galen | F834 | 1994 | sold to Portugal as NRP D. Francisco de Almeida (F334) in 2006 |
| Van Speijk HNLMS Van Speijk (F828) HNLMS Van Speijk is the eighth and last ship in the Karel Doorman-class of multi-purpose frigates.Van Speijk was laid down 1 October 1991, launched 26 March 1994, and commissioned 7 September 1995.... |
F828 | 1995 | In service |
Sales to Chilean, Belgian and Portuguese Navies
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and renamed Almirante Riveros (FF-18) and Blanco Encalada (FF-15) respectively. Blanco Encalada commissioned into the Chilean Navy
Chilean Navy
-Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the...
on 16. December 2005, with Almirante Riveros to be commissioned in April 2007.
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 class
Wielingen 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, which in turn might be sold to Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. On 21. December 2005, Karel Doorman and Willem van der Zaan were sold to Belgium and renamed Leopold I (F930) and Louise-Marie (F931) respectively. They will be recommissioned between 2007- 2008.
In May 2006, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
's National Defense Minister, Luís Amado
Luís Amado
Luís Filipe Marques Amado was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal in the government led by the Socialist Party. Before replacing Diogo Freitas do Amaral as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 30 June 2006, Amado was the Minister of Defence...
, showed interest in buying two Karel Doorman class frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the João Belo class
João Belo class frigate
The João Belo class, also known as Comandante João Belo class, is a class of four frigates of French design, identical to the Commandant Rivière class, with extra equipment for tropical climates...
in service with the Portuguese Navy
Portuguese Navy
The Portuguese Navy is the naval branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in cooperation and integrated with the other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the military defence of Portugal....
— instead of buying two frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry class
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
, offered by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A committee of the Portuguese government arrived in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
to evaluate the condition of two frigates to be bought.
On November 1st 2006, the Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira signed a contract for the purchase of the frigates Van Nes and Van Galen. Van Nes, renamed NRP Bartolomeu Dias
Bartolomeu Dias
Bartolomeu Dias , a nobleman of the Portuguese royal household, was a Portuguese explorer who sailed around the southernmost tip of Africa in 1488, the first European known to have done so.-Purposes of the Dias expedition:...
(F333), was transferred to Portugal on January 16, 2009 and Van Galen, renamed NRP Francisco de Almeida
Francisco de Almeida
Dom Francisco de Almeida , also known as "the Great Dom Francisco" , was a Portuguese nobleman, soldier and explorer. He distinguished himself as a counsellor to King John II of Portugal and later in the wars against the Moors and in the conquest of Granada in 1492...
(F334) was transferred on January 15, 2010. http://www.marine.nl/nieuws/?article=/nieuws/persberichten/2006/061101pb_portugaal_koopt_nl_fregatten.html http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/11/20061101_ministerportugal.aspx
With the sale of two M-class frigates to Portugal only two of the eight ships remain with the Dutch Navy.
Further reading
- Joris Janssen Lok, 'The Netherlands: Dutch M frigates are ready for action,' Jane's Defence WeeklyJane's Defence WeeklyJane's Defence Weekly is a weekly magazine reporting on military and corporate affairs, edited by Peter Felstead. It is one of a number of military-related publications named after John F. T. Jane, an Englishman who first published Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships in 1898...
/Jane's Information Group, 14 October 1995