HNLMS Den Helder (A834)

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Concept art A834 Zr.Ms. Den Helder.jpg
Class overview
NameDen Helder class
BuildersDamen Group, Galati
Operators Royal Netherlands Navy
Preceded byHNLMS Amsterdam
Cost€374 million (2019)
Built2020-present[1][2]
Planned1
Building1
Completed0
Active0
History
Netherlands
NameDen Helder[7][8]
NamesakeCity of Den Helder
OwnerRoyal Netherlands Navy
Awarded19 February 2020[3][4][5]
BuilderDamen Group, Galati
Cost€374 million (2019)
Yard number312421000 / 421000[1]
Laid downJune 2, 2021[6]
CompletedPlanned for 2024
CommissionedPlanned for 2025
HomeportDen Helder
IdentificationHull number: A834
StatusUnder construction[1][2]
General characteristics
TypeReplenishment oiler
Displacement20,000 t (19,684 long tons)
Length179.5 m (588 ft 11 in) o/a
Beam22 m (72 ft 2 in)
Draught8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Propulsion4x Wärtsila 31
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement75

HNLMS Den Helder is a new replenishment oiler under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Also known as the Combat Support Ship (CSS), Den Helder is planned to fill the gap of replenishment at sea that was left after HNLMS Amsterdam was sold to Peru in 2014.

History[]

The sale of HNLMS Amsterdam in 2014 left a gap in the navy's ability to replenish its own ships and those of allies. The successor of HNLMS Zuiderkruis, HNLMS Karel Doorman, was not capable enough as it was not built as a full-fledged replenishment oiler. In 2017 a study started to look at the possibility of a new tanker to fulfill this task.[9]

In 2019 the so called D-letter, the final process before the contract can be signed, was sent to the Tweede Kamer for approval.[10][11][12][13] With the contract signing following two months later on the bridge of the HNLMS Karel Doorman.[3][4]

The ship carries two 40-ton cranes and can carry up to 24 sea containers. It can dispense 7,600 cubic meters of diesel (including for its own use), 1,000 cubic meters of helicopter fuel (including for its own use), 226 cubic meters of drinking water and 434 tons of other goods, including ammunition. The vessel can accommodate up to two NH-90 helicopters or, alternatively, one NH-90 and two UAVs. It carries two LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) and 2 FRISC (Fast Raiding and Intercept Craft). The ship's infirmary operates as a Role 2 hospital (providing limited hospital capability, including surgery).[14]

Naming[]

The name was revealed in a ceremony in honor of the 10.000 model, which was the new CSS, at MARIN. In attendance were the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy: Rob Kramer, the State Secretary for Defence: Barbara Visser, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy: Mona Keijzer and the CEO of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.[7][8]

It is the first time a vessel is named after Den Helder.

Construction[]

The first steel was cut in a ceremony on 2 December 2020 at the Damen yard in Galati. On the 2nd of June Damen Shipyards Galati has performed the keel-laying ceremony on the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder. The keel-laying ceremony was performed by the Director Defence Material Organisation (DMO), vice admiral Arie Jan de Waard and vice admiral Rob Kramer, Commander Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).[15] The ship was formally laid down on June 2, 2021.[16]

Similar ships[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Eindelijk weer Nederlands marineschip in aanbouw: de Den Helder" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  2. ^ a b "Eerste staal voor Zr.Ms. Den Helder gesneden" (in Dutch). maritiemdenhelder.eu. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  3. ^ a b "Contract Combat Support Ship ondertekend" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  4. ^ a b "Nieuw bevoorradingsschip marine Zr.Ms. Den Helder kan worden gebouwd" (in Dutch). nhnieuws.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  5. ^ "Bouw nieuw bevoorradingsschip wordt Nederlands feestje" (in Dutch). defensie.nl. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  6. ^ "Damen Shipyards Galati lays keel of Royal Netherlands Navy's Combat Support Ship". 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Combat support ship gaat Zr.Ms. Den Helder heten" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  8. ^ a b "Nieuw marineschip krijgt de naam Zr.Ms. Den Helder" (in Dutch). denheldersdagblad.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  9. ^ "Marine werkt aan nieuw bevoorradingsschip" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  10. ^ "Defensie en Damen bereiken overeenstemming over nieuw bevoorradingsschip" (in Dutch). marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  11. ^ "Dutch Cabinet to Construct Combat Support Ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder". oceannews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  12. ^ "Dutch Cabinet Decides to Build Combat Support Ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder". oceannews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  13. ^ "Kabinet besluit tot bouw van Combat Support Ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder" (in Dutch). denhelderactueel.nl. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  14. ^ "Combat support ship/ Bevoorradingsschip den Helder".
  15. ^ White, Ryan. "Damen Shipyards Galati lays keel of Combat Support Ship Den Helder - Naval Post". Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  16. ^ "Damen Shipyards Galati lays keel of Royal Netherlands Navy's Combat Support Ship". 3 June 2021.
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