Impression by DMO
Class overview
NameAuxiliary ship replacement program
Operators Royal Netherlands Navy
Cost250 million to 1 billion (2023) for 8 units
Planned
  • 4 Seagoing
  • 4 Coastal
General characteristics
PropulsionMethanol capable diesel engines
Aircraft carried1x Unmanned aerial vehicle
Aviation facilitiesHangar for a single UAV

The Auxiliary ship replacement program is set to replace ten auxiliary ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy from various classes by eight new ships which will be built by a Dutch shipyard.

History

In 2020 the A-letter was sent by the Dutch Defence Materiel Administration (DMO) to the House of Representatives outlining the plans for the new ships. The program will consists of two variants, a coastal variant and an ocean going one. The first ship was supposed to enter service in 2024. But due to delays in the decision making this was pushed back.[1] The B-letter followed in June 2022 specifying further details. For example that the ships need to be carbon neutral and that they need to be able to use methanol capable diesel engines.[2][3][4] The new vessels are planned along the lines of the commercial off-the-shelf concept. In 2024 the builder will be announced in the D-letter, following a RfQ which will be sent out in 2023.

In February 2023 it was revealed that three major shipyards are interested in the project. These yards are the Damen Group, Royal IHC & Thecla Bodewes. Two smaller shipyards are also rumored to be interested in the program, but possible only for the building of the coastal version. These yards are Holland Shipyards & Neptune Marine.[5]

Ocean going

The sea going variant will replace the five larger vessels:

Ship Type First in service Expected end of life
HNLMS Mercuur (A900) Submarine support vessel 1987 2026
HNLMS Van Kinsbergen (A902) Training ship 1999 2024
Snellius class HNLMS Snellius (A802) Hydrographic survey vessel 2003 2033
HNLMS Luymes (A803) 2004 2034
HNLMS Pelikaan (A804) Logistic support vessel 2006 2031
Coastal

The coastal variant will replace the five smaller vessels:

Ship Type First in service Expected end of life
HNLMS Soemba (A850) Diving support vessel 1989 2026 / 2027
Cerberus class HNLMS Cerberus (A851) Diving support vessel 1992 2026 / 2027
HNLMS Argus (A852) 1992
HNLMS Nautilus (A853) 1992
HNLMS Hydra (A854) 1992

See also

References

  1. "Vervanging van tien Nederlandse marineschepen ineens" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. "Project 'Vervanging hulpvaartuigen'" (in Dutch). Dutch Government. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. "Nieuwe hulpvaartuigen marine worden klimaatneutraal" (in Dutch). Defensie.nl. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. "Kamerbrief B-brief project 'Vervanging hulpvaartuigen'" (in Dutch). Rijksoverheid.nl. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. "Zeker drie Nederlandse werven geïnteresseerd in bouw nieuwe ondersteuningsschepen marine" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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