Schelde off Flushing, Netherlands 16 August 2013
Of the Karel Doorman-class consist just of one ship. She is the largest warships the Royal Netherlands Navy ever possessed and is name after rear admiral Karel Doorman who was killed during the battle of the Java Sea on 28 February 1942 while commanding an allied squadron against a Japanese fleet. With a displacement of 28.246 tons/27.800 long tons (full load) and as dimensions 204,7 x 30,4 x 7,8 metres or 671’7”x 99’9” x 25’7’, Her speed is 18 knots and with a speed of 12 knots the range is 9.800 nautical miles. Her crew numbers 150 men/women to which 150 enlisted men/women are added belonging to helicopter-crews and medical teams. Her armament consist of 2 Goalkeepers CIWS, 2-3cm guns, 4-12,7mm machineguns and between 6 and 8 7,62mm machineguns. Further more she carries with her 2 lading crafts vehicle personnel and 2 RHIBS. She carries with six NH90 helicopters with their blades folded or 2 Chinook helicopters with their blades spread. The hull is laid down at the Damen shipyard at Galati, Romania on 7 June 2011 and launched on 17 October 2012. She arrived on 16 August at 2013 at Flushing-East to be completed and fitted out. The planning is to commission her in 2015.
Damen Shipyard Flushing-East
This week announced Dutch newspapers and broadcasting that she would be never commissioned in the Royal Netherlands but would be sold. Yet is still unknown to which country although Canada is mentioned as a potential buyer. Added on 7-9-2013 19:57 o'clock.
Added 22 June 2014 09:26 o'clock
It's today Sunday 22 June. This morning she will start her first (sea) trial expected to enter Den Helder, Netehrlands on 1 July. In the last months the Dutch cabinet decided to keep her in service instead of selling her although for the coming period with a limited crew and tasks. The Dutch cabinet intends to cooperate with other European navies in using this ship.
