Design Dutch helicopter carrier aroind 1969
Dutch light aircraft carrier Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman (II)
Dutch landing platform dock (LPD) Zr.Ms. Rotterdam (L800).
Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 1 April 2017
Dutch joint support ship Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman. Het Sloe, Vlissingen 4 July 2014
In the 19th meeting of the Tweede Kamer of the Dutch parliament on 7 December 1965 was the request of the Royal Netherlands Navy for a helicopter carrier in the budget for 1966 discussed. Parliament member Bos (of the C.H.U.) asked if such a ship was a satisfying alternative instead of having nuclear submarines. One advantage was that the Netherlands became less depending on other countries. Whatever the answer was from the minister there were no helicopter carriers built. Both ships were planned to be built between 1971-1977 respectively 1972-1978. Dimensions 182 (between perpendiculars)-190 (over all) 23 (waterline)-27 (flight deck) x 7,5 (maximum draught) x 18 (hold below flight deck) metres and a maximum displacement of 18.000 tons. Hangar storage for 9 helicopters and 8 helicopters could depart at the same time. Speed 24 knots with a horsepower of around 50.000hp. Armament consisted of 2 PDMS or Point Defence Missile System (3-4 launchers) at the foreside of the ship. Accommodation for a crew numbering about 600 men and furthermore for around 320 marines. Could take 2.000 tons of fuel oil for supplying purposes at sea. Could carry at least LCA’s with her. Main tasks of the helicopter carriers war anti submarine warfare and such a ship needed a protection of at least 4-6 destroyers or frigates. Such a squadron needed an endurance of at least 14 days without returning to a base for victuals. At that moment was the Dutch light aircraft carrier Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman just sold.(1)
Note
1. The second Dutch aircraft carrier named Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman was part of the British Colossus-class, light carriers designed to be built within short time. On 3 December 1942 started the building at the yard Cammell Laird&Co., Birkenhead, Liverpool. She was launched on 30 December 1943 as the HMS Venerable and commissioned on 17 January 1945. Returned after a mission in the Far East she was laid up at Devonport. On 1 April 1948 she was sold to the Royal Netherlands Navy and commissioned on 28 May 1948. Pennant QL 1, later R 81. She was later (1956-1958) rebuilt with the dimensions 214,00 x 34,80 x 7,30m (draught) and a displacement of 13.800 ton (former 13190 ton) and armed with 10/12-4cm Bofors guns. On 14 October 1968 she was sold to Argentina. After being repaired at Wilton Fijenoord, Schiedam she departed on 3 September 1969 as the Veinticinco de Mayo towards her new her owner. In January 1969 she was towed to Alang, India and there broken up. Especially to be used for ant submarine warfare purposes.
The Rotterdam was ordered on 25 April 1994, laid down on 25 January 1998, launched on 22 February 1997 and commissioned on 15 April 1998. An amphibious transport or landing platform dock able to transport a complete battalion marines with equipment. Enforcer-design as a result of a Dutch Spanish project. She has a hangar for 6 NH-90 helicopters and stern helicopter flight deck. With a displacement of 1.2760-14.000 (full load) are her dimensions 166 x 27 x 6 metres ot 545 x 89 x 20 feet. MMSI 246700000.
The Dutch joint support ship Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman of the Karel Doorman-class. 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 landing 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.
