General Facts

TYPE
Frigate

ORIGIN
Netherlands

NICKNAMES
M-class / Multipurpose class (nickname)

DESIGNED
1984 - 1985

DESIGNER
De Schelde

PRODUCTION
1986 - 1995

PRODUCERS
Netherlands - De Schelde

QUANTITY
8, all in service

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Multipurpose capability
Well armed
High production quality
Good mobility
Limited air defense capability
No stealth

Introduction

The Karel Doorman class is a class of frigates of Dutch origin. The Karel Doorman class is a multipurpose frigate. It was developed in the mid 1980s to replace the two Jacob van Heemskerck class frigates and several Kortenaer class frigates. The Karel Doorman class is considered one of the finest Cold War style (non-stealth) frigates.

Layout

The Karel Doorman features a conventional layout. The gun and bridge are located at the front. The sensor mast, funnel and command center in the middle. The engines, hangar and helicopter deck are at the rear. The Karel Doorman has reduced radar and IR signatures, but cannon be classified as a stealth ship. Over time the ships have been subject to various updates and from 2009 to 2012 a mid life update is carried out.

Firepower

Surface targets can be engaged with the Harpoon anti-ship missile and 76mm Super Rapid dual purpose gun. Sea Sparrow missiles in the unusual Mk 48 launchers at the left side of the hanger are used against air targets. Submarines can be engaged by the two twin Mk 46 torpedo launchers and the Lynx helicopter. A 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS and two 20mm Oerlikon are fitted for self-defense.

Electronics

The Karel Doorman is fitted with the SEWACO VII combat data information system. The SMART surface and air search radar is mounted on top of the sensor mast. An LW08 air search radar is fitted on the hangar. Two STIR fire control radars are used with the Sea Sparrow missile. A PHS-36 hull mounted sonar and a towed array are used for detecting submarines. Countermeasures include a torpedo decoy, SRBOC and ECM systems.

Mobility

The Karel Doorman is fitted with a CODOG system that consists of two Spey gas turbines and two Wartsila diesels that power two shafts. The maximum speed is 30 knots. The maximum range is 5.000 nm at 18 knots.

Users

A total of 8 ships were build for the Netherlands navy. Due to the introduction of the De Zeven Provincien class destroyers and end of the Cold War the number has been reduced to only 2. Chile, Belgium and Portugal each acquired 2 ships. The Karel Doorman class is expected to remain in service for many years to come.

Karel Doorman class

The Karel Doorman class is a multipurpose frigate of Dutch origin. It is relatively modern and one of the last Western non-stealth frigates, giving it a classical look. The armament allows it to engage land based targets, surface ships, aircraft and submarines.

Specifications:
Karel Doorman

Type	Frigate
Crew	156 incl 16 officers, plus 7 spare bunks
Displacement	3.320 t full load
Length	122.3 m overall, 114.2 m waterline
Width	14.4 m
Draught	4.3 m
Height	?
Machinery	2x Spey SM1C, 33.800 hp 2x Stork-Wartsila 12SW280 diesels, 9.790 hp
Propulsion	2 shafts

Speed	30 kt
Range	5.000 nm at 18 kt
Sensors	Surface search: SMART Surface search: Scout Air search: LW08 Sonar: PHS-36 hull mounted Sonar: DSBV 61 towed array
Systems	Fire control: 2x STIR Data: SEWACO VII Link 11
Countermeasures	2x SRBOC, SLX-25 Nixie torpedo decoy
Aircraft	1x Lynx or NH-90
Cargo	-
Remarks	-
Weapons	GUN: 76mm Super Rapid SSM: 2x4 Harpoon SAM: 16x Sea Sparrow TP: 2x2 Mk 46, CIWS: 30mm Goalkeeper

Weapon1	76mm OTO Melara Mk 100 Super Rapid Single gun on forward deck
Weapon2	Harpoon Two four round launchers amidships 8 rounds, all ready to fire
Weapon3	RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Mk 48 VLS at left side of hanger 16 missiles, all ready to fire
Weapon4	Mk 46 torpedo Two Mk 32 twin launchers 4 torpedoes ready to fire
Weapon5	30mm SGE-30 Goalkeeper CIWS Single gun mounted at rear of hanger
Weapon6	-
Weapon7	-
Weapon8	-