Royal Netherlands Navy takes delivery of new fleet support ship

The Royal Netherlands Navy has taken delivery of a new combat support ship (CSS).

The nearly 180-metre-long HNLMS Den Helder will have a 75-person standard crew and can take an additional 85 people on board. The vessel named after the Royal Netherlands Navy's main base will operate alongside the joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman.

The newer support vessel 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.

Space is also available for 20 ISO containers, a helicopter deck, and equipment for performing underway replenishment of ammunition, food, fuel, and miscellaneous supplies to other navy ships.

Construction of Den Helder's hull took place in Romania. For the final outfitting, the ship was fitted with a combat management system.

Before arriving in the Netherlands, the CSS carried out a replenishment at sea exercise with the patrol vessel HNLMS Friesland in the North Sea.