Holland - class offshore patrol vessels The " Holland " - class offshore patrol vessels are new offshore patrol vessels under construction for the Royal Netherlands Navy . They are designed to fulfill patrol and intervention tasks against lightly armed opponents , such as pirates and smugglers . History . A contract between the Royal Dutch Navy and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen , the Netherlands was signed in 2007 for the construction of four vessels at a total cost of €467 . 8 million . The vessels resulted from the Dutch Ministry of Defence ' s Marinestudie . The study proposes the sale of four existing " Karel Doorman " - class frigates , and using the proceeds and savings of the sale to commission four dedicated patrol vessels , allow the building of a more capable Joint Support Ship to replace the AOR , and reintroducing a mine - sweeping capability to the Dutch Navy . The vessels are planned to be deployed to the Caribbean region , the South China Sea and the North Sea . They have the capability to carry out missions such as anti - piracy and blockade duties , and also can be used for emergency transport . Armament . The " Holland " class ' main armament is a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid gun with a firing rate of 120 rounds per minute and an effective range of 16 km . Secondary armament is provided by a 30mm Oto Melara Marlin WS rapid cannon , two 12 . 7mm Oto Melara Hitrole NT ' s and two 12 . 7mm M2HB machine guns . All can be remotely operated . Sensor suite . The ships are able to monitor 140 nm using a Thales Integrated Sensor and Communication Systems ( ISCS ) , comprising a SeaMaster 400 air warning radar , a Watcher 100 active phased - array surface detection and tracking radar , a mine detection sonar and an infra - red Gatekeeper / electro - optical ( EO ) warning system . The sensor systems are housed in an integrated mast , also provided by Thales , called the I - Mast 400 . Thales also built the satellite communications system for the ships . Propulsion . The " Holland " class is fitted with a combined electric or diesel ( CODELOD ) propulsion system . It comprises two MAN 12V28 / 33D diesel rated at 5 , 460 kW each , combined with electric motors that drive a controllable pitch propeller through two shafts . Electric operation is used mainly for low - speed operation . Specifications . " Holland " - class ships have a tonnage of 3 , 750 tons , are in length , in beam and have a draft of . The ships have a speed of 21 . 5 knots and a range of 5000 nautical miles at 15 knots . The ship ' s complement is 50 crew , as well as up to 40 people for duties such as helicopter or medical crew . Other characteristics . The ships are built to a design that is intended to reduce the ability of radar to detect them , as well improving seakeeping by locating the superstructure unusually far aft . The ships are painted a new light blue - gray color , which supposedly has a better camouflage - effect than the standard light - grey paint used by other RNLN - ships . The ships have a hangar and flightdeck for an NH - 90 helicopter and also carry two Fast Raiding Interception Special forces Craft ( FRISC ) , with a speed of more than 40 knots . Beside these special forces crafts , the Holland class has an improved internal communication infrastructure and is more resistant to the use of resources , which are characteristic for asymmetric warfare . Ships in class . The projected number of ships for the class is four ; they are planned to be commissioned between 2011 and 2013 . On December 20 , 2007 the contract was signed for four ships at a cost of around €467 . 8 million . The ships will be named after Dutch provinces of historical maritime importance . " Holland " ( P840 ) . " Holland " was laid down on 8 December 2008 , launched on 2 February 2010 and commissioned on 12 May 2011 . She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen . On 16 November 2011 she was the first ship in her class to receive the Thales Integrated Mast IM - 400 . The ship entered service during the 2012 Dutch navy days in Den Helder . " Zeeland " ( P841 ) . " Zeeland " was laid down on 5 October 2009 and launched on 20 November 2010 . She began sea trials on 31 August 2011 . She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen . " Zeeland " was delivered on 20 October 2011 , and received her sensormast in December 2012 . To enter service after final fitting out and finishing trials . Commissioning of the Zeeland is scheduled for 23 / 08 / 2013 at Vlissingen . " Friesland " ( P842 ) . " Friesland " was laid down on 26 November 2009 and launched on 4 November 2010 . She began sea trials on 27 September 2011 , and she was delivered to the Defense Material Organisation ( DMO ) on 11 April 2012 . She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați . On 26 April 2012 , she assisted in the rescue of a sail training vessel off Iona while participating in an international exercise . " Groningen " ( P843 ) . " Groningen " was laid down on 9 April 2010 and launched on 21 April 2011 . She was built at the Damen Schelde shipyard in Galați .