Leaving Portsmouth harbour 11/02/07

Van Amstel (F831)
Karel Doorman Class Frigates, Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Navy Multi-purpose (M-Class) or Karel Doorman Class frigates were built by the De Schelde Group in Flushing and have been operational since 1996. They are equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and surface warfare roles. M-class frigates have supported anti-drug operations in the Caribbean with the US Navy, UN operations in the Adriatic and regularly participate in NATO exercises.
"Karel Doorman Class frigates are equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and surface warfare roles."
The eight ships of the class are: Karel Doorman (F827), commissioned 1991, Willem Van Der Zaan (F829), 1991, Tjerk Hiddes (F830), 1992, Van Amstel (F831), 1993, Abraham Van Der Hulst (F832), 1993, Van Nes (F833), 1994, Van Galen (F834), 1994 and Van Spejk (F828), 1995.
In March 2004, the Royal Netherlands Navy signed a contract for the transfer of two M-Class frigates to the Chilean Navy.
Abraham Van Der Hulst (F832), now named Almirante Blanco Encalada, was handed over in December 2005 and Tjerk Hiddes (F830) will be delivered in April 2007. Chile has requested the foreign military sale of Harpoon RGM-84L Block II missiles to arm the frigates.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
Thales Nederland (formerly Signaal) SEWACO VIIB integrates data from sensor systems and provides weapon control. A subsystem, the Multi-Weapon Control System (MWCS) controls the 76mm gun and Seasparrow missile system. SEWACO also integrates navigation systems, communications systems and automatic datalink.