Four Patrol Vessels for Royal Netherlands Navy

, 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. 
 
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 RHIBs and one NH-90 helicopter are boarded. The stern RHIB will be launched and recovered via a slipway in the stern. 
 
The weapon suite 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. 
 
 
Schelde Naval Shipbuilding is a naval shipyard that makes optimal use of its know-how and experience from both the military and commercial sectors and is specialized in the design and construction of naval vessels and complex commercial vessels. 
 
Schelde was founded in the year 1875 and in 2000 became a member of the Damen Shipyards Group, the largest Dutch Shipbuilding group now comprising 31 shipyards spread throughout nine countries. 
 
Over the past years Schelde has made great strides in efficiency, subcontracting a significant amount of work and now building more ships than before. Flexibility, Performance and Perfection have become Schelde’s trade mark. 
 
As the supplier of naval surface combatants and auxiliaries to the Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Schelde has carried out over 50 years of continuous frigate and auxiliary vessel development which resulted in seven generations of frigates and four generation of Auxiliary vessels.