MBT "Van Speijk" class frigates (1967) - Construction plan, scale 1:100 (10.11.026)

The Van Speijk-class frigates were a series of six frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy, commissioned from 1967 onwards. This class was based on the British design of the Leander class, but was adapted to Dutch requirements and technology.

Here is an overview of the main features and history:

General Information

Name: Van Speijk class

Number of ships: 6

Construction period: 1965–1972

In service: 1967–1990 (Netherlands)

Design: Based on the British Leander class

Named after: Dutch naval heroes from the 19th century, such as Jan van Speijk

Technical Specifications (original version)

Displacement: ~2,850 tonnes (fully loaded)

Length: 113 metres

Beam: 13 metres

Draught: 5 metres

Propulsion: Steam turbines (Y-100 system)

Speed: approx. 28 knots

Crew: ~250

Armament (original)

1x 114 mm (4.5 inch) twin gun (bow)

1x Seacat anti-aircraft missile system

1x Limbo anti-submarine mortar

Torpedo tubes

Rocket depth charges

Later: helicopter deck for a Westland Wasp (or later Lynx)

Modernisation (1970s–1980s)

Between 1976 and 1983, the frigates underwent a thorough modernisation to make them better suited to NATO operations:

Seacat replaced by Goalkeeper CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) or other air defence systems

Improved sonar and radar

New electronic warfare and communications

Helicopter platform expanded to accommodate the Westland Lynx

Transfer to Indonesia

All six frigates were eventually sold to Indonesia between 1986 and 1989. There they entered service as the Ahmad Yani class and remained active until the 2010s (some are still in service, albeit modernised).

Ships of the class

1. HNLMS Van Speijk (F802)

2. HNLMS Van Galen (F803)

3. HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (F804)

4. HNLMS Isaac Sweers (F805)

5. HNLMS Evertsen (F806)

6. HNLMS Tromp (F807)

Specifications: