At the DSEI 2023 defense and security event in London, the Royal Netherlands Navy displayed its modern frigate, the HNLMS De Ruyter.
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Dutch De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNMLS De Ryuter. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
At full load, the frigate displaces 6,050 tons, equivalent to 5,950 long tons. Her length spans 144.24 meters (473 feet 3 inches), with a beam width of 18.80 meters (61 feet 8 inches) and a draft of 5.18 meters (17 feet 0 inches).
HNLMS De Ruyter utilizes a combined diesel or gas system, featuring two powerful Wärtsilä 16 V26 marine diesel engines, each generating 5.1 MW (6,800 hp), along with two Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM 1C gas turbines, each producing an impressive 19.5 MW (26,100 hp).
Two propeller shafts equipped with 5-bladed controllable pitch propellers enable it to achieve a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 56 km/h or 35 mph). With a complement of 174 crew members (227, including command staff), the vessel is well-prepared for its operations.
Her advanced sensor and processing systems include the Thales Nederland SMART-L long-range air and surface surveillance radar, Thales Nederland APAR air and surface search, tracking, and guidance radar (I band), DECCA NAV navigation radar, Thales Nederland Scout surface search/navigation radar with low probability of intercept capabilities, Thales Nederland Sirius IRST long-range infrared surveillance and tracking system, Thales Nederland Mirador optical surveillance and tracking system, Atlas Elektronik DSQS-24C hull-mounted sonar, and MK XII IFF system.
The vessel is well-equipped, featuring one Oto Melara 127 mm/54 dual-purpose gun, 2–4 Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns, 4–6 FN MAG 7.62 mm machine guns, and 1–2 Goalkeeper CIWS (Close-In Weapon System).
Additionally, her missile capabilities are formidable, including a 40-cell Mk 41 vertical launching system, 32 SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles, 32 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (quad-packed), and 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. For underwater threats, the frigate is equipped with two twin Mk 32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers loaded with Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes.
