Holland-class patrol vessel

A contract between the Royal Netherlands 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 study proposes the sale of four existing s, 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 auxiliary replenishment ship , and reintroducing a mine-sweeping capability to the Dutch Navy. The vessels are designed for global use, in particular to be deployed to the Caribbean region, the South China Sea and the North Sea. which results in a more robust ship of greater weight, than the previous M class frigates. ==Armament==

Due to their size and sensor suite, the OPVs can be compared to corvettes and frigates. However, their relatively light armament does not fit with that qualification. The Holland class' main armament is a Oto Melara Super Rapid gun with a firing rate of 120 rounds per minute and a maximum range of . The cannon is adequate for deployment against smuggling vessels (such as interception of drug transports with fast speed boats in the Caribbean). Secondary armament is provided by a Oto Melara Marlin WS autocannon, two Oto Melara Hitrole NTs and two 12.7 mm M2HB machine guns. All can be remotely operated. Two water cannon are used for non-lethal protection and fire fighting. In addition, there are six stations for hand-operated FN MAG-7.62 mm machine guns. For the interception of fast speedboats (which after all are faster than the OPV), two FRISC's (Fast Raiding Interception Special forces Craft) are transported, capable of reaching speeds greater than 40 knots. One of them is carried in davits, the other in a small dock (a slipway) on the stern (below the helideck). The ships also received a Combat Management System (CMS) from CAMS-Force Vision. ==Sensor suite==

The ships are able to monitor to range air, missile and UAV targets, and to range surface targets 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 (claimed to be able to detect small objects such as mines and periscopes on the sea surface at range). It has link 11 & 16 data links a mine detection sonar and an infra-red Gatekeeper/electro-optical (EO) warning system. 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. The gears manufactured by RENK combine one MAN 12V28/33D diesel rated at and a electric motor driving a controllable-pitch propeller on each of the two shafts. The electric motor is used mainly for low-speed operations. ==Specifications==

Holland-class ships have a tonnage of 3,750 tons, are in length, in beam and have a draft of . The ships have a speed of and a range of at . Other characteristics The ships are built to a design that is intended to reduce the ability of radar to detect them, ==Ships in class==

On 20 December 2007, the contract was signed with Dutch-based Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding for four ships at a cost of around €467.8 million. While the first two vessels were built at the Vlissingen shipyard in the Netherlands, to save cost and speed up completion the remainder of the class were assembled at Damen Schelde's shipyard in Galati in Romania. The Thales I-mast is a separate, air-tight module which was built separately from the rest of the ships and then bolted on once complete. Friesland was actually commissioned before her mast was installed. The ships were named after Dutch provinces of historical maritime importance. Holland Holland was laid down on 8 December 2008, launched on 2 February 2010 and commissioned on 12 May 2011. 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 Zeeland was laid down on 5 October 2009 and launched on 20 November 2010. Zeeland was commissioned on 23 August 2013 at Vlissingen. In July 2022 Zeeland suffered a fire that caused significant damage. The ship is currently laid up in Den Helder awaiting repairs. Friesland Friesland was laid down on 26 November 2009 and launched on 4 November 2010. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați. In January 2013 Friesland became the first of the Holland-class to deploy to the Dutch Caribbean as West Indies Guard Ship. Groningen Groningen was laid down on 9 April 2010 and launched on 21 April 2011. She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați. ==Replacement==

In March 2024, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced plans to replace the Holland class offshore patrol vessel.{{cite web |url=https://www.nu.nl/economie/6304217/scheepsbouwer-damen-wederom-betrokken-bij-order-voor-nieuwe-marineschepen.html |title= Scheepsbouwer Damen wederom betrokken bij order voor nieuwe marineschepen |author= ==References==