First Offshore Patrol Vessel Named
On 2 february 2010 a naming ceremony took place of the ‘Holland’, the first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The naming ceremony was performed by Her Majesty the Queen at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding yard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. The Holland as designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy measures 108 m in length and 16 m in breadth. Total displacement is 3750 tonnes. The Holland accommodates 50 crew and up to 40 additional personnel, 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 two main diesel engines of approx 5400 kW each. Alternatively electric propulsion can be chosen for low speed operations. To support interception operations, two 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 outfit 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 Holland class OPV’s 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.