De Zeven Provincin-class frigate - HNLMS Evertsen (F805)
Overview of the De Zeven Provincin-class frigate: HNLMS Evertsen (F805)
Name: HNLMS Evertsen (Dutch: Zr.Ms. Evertsen)
•Type / Class: Air defence & command frigate, De Zeven Provinciën-class, Royal Netherlands Navy
•Commissioned: 10 June 2005
Technical Characteristics:
• Displacement: Approx. 6,050 tonnes (full load)
Dimensions:
• Length: ~144.24 m
• Beam: ~18.8 m
• Draught: ~5.18 m
Propulsion: Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG)
• 2 × Wärtsilä 16 V26 diesel engines
• 2 × Rolls-Royce Spey SM 1C gas turbines
• Twin propeller shafts with controllable pitch, five-bladed propellers
Speed & Range:
• Top speed about 28–30 knots
• Range cited approx. 4,000 nautical miles at cruising (~18 knots)
Crew Complement: About 174 personnel (rising to ~202 when including command staff)
Sensors / Systems:
• Thales Nederland SMART-L long-range surveillance radar
• Thales APAR radar for air-&-surface tracking and guidance
• Hull-mounted sonar (DSQS-24C)
• Various navigation/surveillance radars & IRST / optical detection systems
Armament: (At least prior to recent upgrades)
• Main gun: 127 mm dual-purpose Oto Melara or equivalent
• VLS (Vertical Launch Systems) for surface-to-air missiles (SM-2, ESSM etc.)
• Anti-ship missiles (e.g. Harpoon)
• Torpedo tubes, CIWS (Close-in weapons), smaller guns for defence
Recent Upgrades: Replacement of its old Otobreda 127/54 Compact gun with a newer Otobreda 127/64 naval gun.
Service History & Operational Highlights
Missions & Patrols:
• Patrolled waters off Somalia for the World Food Programme in 2008.
• Participated in Operation Atalanta (EU’s anti-piracy mission) in 2009, including capturing Somali pirates allegedly attacking a merchant ship.
International Engagements:
• Active with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (Baltic Sea) in 2017
• In 2020, served in a defensive escort role around HMS Queen Elizabeth’s task group during naval exercises.
• In 2021, joined UK Carrier Strike Group 21 for a long deployment toward Asia-Pacific, including operations in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, via Suez, with interim visit to the Black Sea. During Black Sea transit, Russian aircraft made mock attack maneuvers.
Incidents:
• 29 August 2024: fire broke out on board while undergoing maintenance in Den Helder; confined to an exhaust pipe of a generator, minimal damage, no casualties.
Significance & Role
HNLMS Evertsen is one of the Netherlands’ flagship modern frigates, designed for air defence and command tasks—both in fleet operations and independent missions. Her advanced sensor suite, missile systems, and strong integration with NATO make her a key asset for collective security, maritime patrols, and expeditionary deployments. Her continued upgrades (e.g. new gun) reflect a focus on maintaining relevance in increasingly complex maritime environments.
Credits:
NSMC-02 127mm/64 Naval Gun: お下劣な汚武裂
Press2Guide 4 cell VLS System: Sebastiaz | BluFFeR
S1850M 'S.M.A.R.T - L' Radar: CoffeeLink
'Goalkeeper' Close in Weapon System: LUCse MENSEN
