MBT HrMs Commando Frigate (LCF) "De Zeven Provincien" F802 (2002) - Construction drawing Scale 1:150 (10.11.062)

General

Type: Air defence and command frigate (LCF), flagship of the De Zeven Provinciën class

Construction: Keel laid on 1 September 1998, launched on 8 April 2000, and formally commissioned on 26 April 2002

Builder: Koninklijke Schelde Groep in Vlissingen

Dimensions & performance

Displacement: approx. 6,050 tonnes (fully loaded)

Dimensions: length 144 m, beam ~17–18.8 m, draught approx. 7 m

Propulsion: CODOG system – 2×Wärtsilä 16 V26 diesel engines (13,600 hp), 2×Rolls-Royce Spey gas turbines (52,300 hp), top speed ~30 knots

Crew: approximately 174 crew members (202 including command staff)

Sensors & Stealth

Main radars: Thales SMART-L (air detection) and APAR (tracking & missile guidance via ICWI)

Stealth design with angular, radar-reflection-limiting shapes

Armament

Main armament: Oto-Breda 127 mm/54

VLS Mk 41 (40 cells) – ESSM and SM-2 Block IIIA

Harpoon anti-ship missiles (8 launch tubes)

Goalkeeper CIWS, Oerlikon 20 mm, Mk 46 torpedoes

Helicopter deck for NH90 or Lynx

Operations & exercises

First live missile test in November 2003 near the Azores: ESSM and SM-2 with APAR guidance; pioneering use of ICWI logos

Actively deployed in anti-piracy operations (e.g. 2006 & 2009 off Somalia), naval cooperation (SNMG task forces), Atalanta, Formidable Shield, and ballistic missile detection from 2021

Modernisation

Four-year upgrade completed in early 2020: improved SMART-L radar, deck modifications

First European frigate with radar capabilities for ballistic missile detection – radar range up to approx. 2,000 km

Role & Significance

HMS De Zeven Provinciën is one of the most modern air defence and command ships within NATO. Thanks to advanced radar and missile systems (SMART-L, APAR, ESSM/SM-2) and command capabilities, it plays a central role in fleet protection, ballistic missile detection, and international maritime operations.

Specifications: