General Facts

TYPE
Destroyer

ORIGIN
Netherlands

NICKNAMES
-

DESIGNED
1993 - 1995

DESIGNER
Royal Schelde

PRODUCTION
1998 - 2003

PRODUCERS
Netherlands - Royal Schelde

QUANTITY
4 built, production complete

UNIT COST
Over 600 million Euros per vessel

CHARACTERISTICS
Multipurpose armament
High quality sensors and systems
Stealth design
High level of automation and small crew
Expensive

Introduction

The De Zeven Provincien class is a class of modern destroyers of Dutch origin. The Dutch navy classifies them as frigates, although their displacement and weapon systems make them destroyers. They were developed to replace the two Tromp class air defense frigates and two more were ordered to replace two Korternaer class multipurpose frigates.

Layout

The design of the ships was developed from scratch. The hull design is shared with the German Sachsen class. The design is modern and features a reduced radar signature shape. The main gun and VLS are mounted at the front. The forward superstructure houses the bridge and APAR radar system. The engines and Harpoon missiles are mounted in the middle. The hanger with the SMART-L radar on top and helicopter deck are at the rear.

Firepower

As an air defense frigate it features a wide range of surface to air missiles. The Mk 41 VLS is fitted with short range Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles and medium range Standard SM-2MR missles and SM-3 missiles against ballistic missiles. Against surface targets the Harpoon missile or the 127mm OTO Melara cannon are used. Plans to fit Tomahawk IV have been shelved. Two double Mk 32 torpedo launchers for Mk 46 torpedoes are fitted amidships. Additionally two 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS systems and two 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine guns are mounted for self-defense.

Electronics

The main sensor systems are the APAR phased array air/surface search radar and the massive SMART-L air search radar. A SEWACO XI combat data system combines all sensor inputs. A Link 11/16 system is fitted for information exchange. The sonar system consists of a DSQS-24 bow mounted sonar. Additionally there are a Mirador electro-optical and Sirius IRST director.

Mobility

A CODOG system consisting of two Rolls Royce Spey gas turbines and two Wartsila diesels power two shafts with controllable pitch propellers. The maximum speed is 26 knots and the range is 5.000 nm at 18 knots.

Users

The De Zeven Provincien class is only used by the Netherlands, which ordered 4 ships. The hull design and sensor systems are shared with the German Sachsen class. The Spanish Alvaro de Bazan class features a similar hull design combined with the US AEGIS system.

De Zeven Provincien class

The De Zeven Provincien class is an air defense destroyer of Dutch origin. It features a stealthy design and is equipped with modern sensors and systems. A balanced and powerful set of armament is fitted, with an emphasis on air defence. There are no variants, although the German Sachsen class shares a similar hull design and many of the same sensors and systems.

Specifications:
De Zeven Provincien

Type	Destroyer
Crew	204 incl 32 officers
Displacement	6.048 t full load
Length	144.2 m overall 130.7 m at waterline
Width	18.8 m
Draught	5.2 m
Height	?
Machinery	2x Rolls Royce SM1C Spey gas turbine, 39 MW combined 2x Wärtsilä 16V6ST diesel, 10 MW combined
Propulsion	2 shafts, controllable pitch propellers

Speed	28 kt
Range	5.000 nm at 18 kt
Sensors	Air search: SMART-L, D-band Air/surface search: APAR, I/J-band Surface search: Scout, I-band IFF: Mk XII Sonar: DSQS-24C bow mounted
Systems	Sirius IRTS Mirador Data: SEWACO XI Link 11/16
Countermeasures	4x SRBOC Mk 36 chaff Nixie torpedo decoy
Aircraft	1x Lynx or NH-90
Cargo	-
Remarks	-
Weapons	GUN: 127mm OTO Melara SSM: 8x Harpoon SAM: 32x ESSM SAM: 24x SM-2MR SAM: 8x SM-3 TP: 2x2 Mk 46 AA: 2x Goalkeeper MG: 2x 12.7mm M2HB

Weapon1	127mm OTO Melara L/54 Single gun on forward deck 45 rpm
Weapon2	Harpoon Two four round launchers amidships 8 rounds, all ready to fire
Weapon3	RIM-162 ESSM Mk 41 VLS at forward deck usually 32 rounds carried, all ready to fire
Weapon4	Standard missile Mk 41 VLS at forward deck usually 32 rounds, mix of SM-2MR and SM-3
Weapon5	Mk 46 324mm torpedo Twin double Mk 32 Mod 9 amidships
Weapon6	30mm Goalkeeper CIWS One at front superstructure, on on hanger
Weapon7	12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun One at each side of bridge
Weapon8	-