Karel Doorman-class

Summary

Description

The Karel Doorman-class frigates are a set of eight multi-purpose vessels built for the Royal Netherlands Navy, named after a Dutch naval hero, Karel Doorman. Doorman's ship was sunk during the 1942 battle of the Java Sea, and he perished with it. These ships were conceived as replacements for the aging Roofdier-class frigates. The design process was initiated in the late 1970s and early 1980s, involving in-house expertise from the Royal Netherlands Navy, De Schelde shipyard, and Nevesbu design agency. Notably, this class introduced stealth features and improved crew comfort and privacy. The first ship, HNLMS Karel Doorman, was laid down in 1985 and commissioned in 1991, followed by the rest of the class. Despite attempts, no orders were secured from foreign navies during construction, but six ships were later sold to Belgium, Chile, and Portugal.

In terms of armament, the Karel Doorman-class is well-equipped to fulfill a variety of roles, including anti-submarine, anti-air, and surface combat missions, and can support anti-drug and anti-piracy operations. The ships boast two quad RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship launchers, an OTO Melara 76 mm gun, AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, and a Goalkeeper close-in weapon system. Anti-submarine capabilities are supported by twin torpedo launchers and a helicopter (NH-90 or Westland Lynx) equipped with torpedoes, dipping sonar, and infrared systems.

The operational history of this class saw two ships, Tjerk Hiddes and Abraham van der Hulst, being sold to Chile in 2004. Belgium acquired Karel Doorman and Willem van der Zaan in 2005, and Portugal purchased Van Nes and Van Galen in 2006. Modernization efforts began in 2012 with upgrades to the hangar, helicopter deck, radar, and electro-optical systems.

The Karel Doorman-class frigates were originally designed to last until 2018/2023, prompting the Dutch Ministry of Defence to commence design studies for their replacement in 2013. These new frigates, which are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2029, will also serve as general-purpose vessels with a focus on anti-submarine warfare. They will be equipped with advanced anti-air weaponry to ensure versatility across all naval combat domains. The Future Surface Combatant will be developed in partnership with Belgium, planning for at least four new ships—two for the Royal Netherlands Navy and two for the Belgian Marine Component.

Technical specifications