수상전투함 Keel for first Dutch Patrol Ship laid down

[현민기]

19:40 GMT, December 9, 2008 State Secretary for Defence Jack de Vries layed down the keel of the first patrol vessel for the Royal Netherlands Navy in the dock of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding on Monday the 8th of December.

During the official act, the State Secretary welded an old Dutch duit (traditional Dutch coin) to the very first part of the vessel. At the lay down of this first of class, the names of the four patrol vessels were also announced: Holland, Zeeland, Friesland en Groningen.

In the "Navy Study 2005", the foundation was laid for the new fleet of the Royal Netherlands Navy. On account of a new world view and new threats such as terrorism and an increase in piracy, the emphasis has been placed on operations in littoral waters. A decision was taken to purchase four patrol vessels specifically for tasks in conflicts of lower intensity, such as monitoring shipping (including boarding operations) and carrying out patrol duties. The Royal Netherlands Navy previously sold six relatively heavily armed multipurpose frigates.

The new vessels will measure 108 metres in length and will displace approximately 3750 tons. They offer hangar space and landing facilities for one NH-90 helicopter or equivalent types. Their armament will consist of one 76 mm Oto-Melara gun, one rapid-fire gun and two Hitrole machine guns. The weapons will all have full remote control. Thanks to the state-of-the-art integrated sensor and communication technology in the mast, detection and tracking of high- and low-altitude air targets, fast boats, periscopes, mines and even swimmers will be possible.

The first two patrol vessels are to be built at the shipyard of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, with a number of sections being supplied by the Damen shipyard in Galati.

Major parts of the third and fourth vessels are to be built at the Damen shipyard in Galati under the supervision of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.

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Background information:

On 20 December 2007, the Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding signed a contract for the supply of four Patrol Vessels. The contract has a value of 240 million euros.

The four Patrol Vessels will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy, and are to be delivered in a time-frame between November 2010 and November 2012.

The Patrol Vessels fulfil the operational requirements of the Royal Netherlands Navy for a robust platform with a limited weapon outfit, specifically designed for coastal patrol missions and maritime defence tasks in the territorial waters and EEZ of The Netherlands, The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The first two vessels will be built at Schelde's premises in Vlissingen, whereas the construction of the third and fourth vessel will largely take place at Damen Shipyard Galatz under supervision of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.

The contract marks the ongoing, intensive relation between the Royal Netherlands Navy and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding over many decades. It also highlights the outstanding reputation of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding as a major naval shipbuilder of patrol vessels, fast-attack craft and corvettes.

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About the Patrol Vessel
The Patrol Vessel as designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy measures 108 meter in length and 16 meter in breadth. Total displacement is 3750 tonnes.

The vessel accommodates 50 crew and up to 40 non-listed persons, such as helicopter crew and medical teams. Further some 100 evacuees can be boarded. The ship's speed is approx 22 knots. To optimize the seakeeping behaviour of the vessel the hull has been stretched, and the bridge and superstructure are located relatively aftwards.

The propulsion plant consists of 2 main diesel engines of approx 5400 kW each.

Alternatively electric propulsion can be chosen for low speed operations.

To support interception operations, 2 large RHIB's and one NH-90 helicopter are boarded. The stern RHIB will be launched and recovered via a slipway in the stern.

The weapon suit consists of one 76 mm gun, one 27 mm automatic gun and two automatic medium calibre gun systems.

In order to reduce the vulnerability, the vessel will be outfitted with ballistic features, blast resistant constructions, redundant and decentralized systems, a gas citadel, extensive fire fighting systems and additional measures to reduce the effects of flooding.

Automation level for this vessel is high, and includes a shore support system, a shore management system, a calamity system, a warning system, an overview system and extensive subsystem automation.

Also the communication and networks are state of the art, so as to support and direct all authorities involved.

The Patrol Vessels will be the first vessels of the Royal Netherlands Navy equipped with the Thales Integrated Sensor & Communication Systems (ISCS), an integrated mast module which integrates practically all RF systems, radars as well as communication and optical sensors on board of the ship in one housing. Together with this Integrated Sensor & Communication Systems (ISCS) these four advanced Patrol Vessels can face the threats and missions of today and tomorrow
 

[백선호]

ISCS는 없어도 될 것 같은데 ISCS를 붙일 수 있는 새로 만드는 배가 OPV만 있으니 결국...

[현민기]

ㅎㅎ 생각해보니 그런것 같군요. 과연 어디에 수출할수있을지 궁금하네요. Maritime surveillance하는 OPV나 초계함 정도면 SCANTER 4100나 RAN-30 I/X면 충분할텐데....

[ssn688]

ISCS부터 선체까지 RCS 감소에 상당히 배려한 디자인인데, 저기 멍청하게(!) 생긴 76mm는... :) 이거 퇴역하는 호위함 함포를 재활용한 것이라 그럴까요?