A new combat support ship (CSS) ordered by the Royal Netherlands Navy was formally named in a ceremony in Vlissingen on Saturday, February 22.
Dutch Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia christened the future HNLMS Den Helder, which honours the Royal Netherlands Navy's main base.
Slated to operate alongside the joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman, the future Den Helder is also designed to operate worldwide and under high threat, protected by frigates, and may also be used in counter-narcotics missions as well as emergency response.
Once completed, the nearly 180-metre long CSS will have a 75-person standard crew and can take an additional 85 people on board. Space will be available for 20 ISO containers as well as helicopters and equipment for performing underway replenishment of ammunition, food, fuel, and miscellanous supplies to other navy ships.
Construction of the future Den Helder's hull took place in Romania. For the final outfitting, the ship will be fitted with a combat management system.
Before arriving in the Netherlands in late 2024, the CSS carried out a replenishment at sea exercise with the patrol vessel HNLMS Friesland in the North Sea.