Alkmaar-class minehunter

Ship class of the Dutch navy

Haarlem

Class overview
Name| Alkmaar class
Builders| Van der Giessen-De Noord, Alblasserdam
Operators|

* Initial
* Royal Netherlands Navy
* Export
* Bulgarian Navy
* Latvian Naval Forces
* Pakistan Navy
* Ukrainian Navy (Planned)

Preceded by| Dokkum class
Succeeded by| Vlissingen class
Cost| 1.3 billion Dutch guilders
Built| 1979–1989
In commission| 1983–present
Planned| 15
Completed| 15
Active| 14
Laid up| 1
General characteristics [1][2]
Type| Minehunter
Displacement| 510 t (500 long tons)
Length| 49.10 m (161 ft 1 in)
Beam| 8.90 m (29 ft 2 in)
Draft| 2.45 metres (8 ft 0 in)
Propulsion|

* 2 screws
* 1,400 kW (1,900 hp)
* Brons-Werkspoor A-RUB 215 V12 diesel engine
* Bow thruster

Speed| 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Range| 3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried| 2 x PAP 104
Crew| 22-34
Sensors and
processing systems|

* 1 x DUBM 21B sonar
* 1 x Racal Decca 1229 radar
* EVEC plotting system

Armament| 1 x 20 mm machine gun

The Alkmaar class is a ship class of fifteen minehunters that were built in the Netherlands for the Royal Netherlands Navy.[3][4] They are based on the design of the Tripartite class, which was developed by a collaborative effort between the Netherlands, Belgium and France, and replaced the minesweepers and minehunters of the Dokkum class.[5][6][7]

## Design and construction

[edit]

In 1975 the Netherlands, Belgium and France signed an agreement to develop a new mine countermeasures vessel together.[8] At the same time it was also decided that each country would contribute to the construction by being responsible for certain components and systems.[6][9] As a result, the Netherlands was responsible for the main propulsion, the gearboxes and propellers.[9] France delivered the mine countermeasure and electronics systems, while Belgium build the remaining electronics and mechanic installations.[8]

The construction of the Alkmaar class started in 1979 at the shipyard of Van der Giessen-De Noord in Alblasserdam.[10] The ships were made from polyester, which required new construction methods in comparison to the previous mine countermeasure vessels that were built at the shipyard.[1][11] As a result, Van der Giessen-De Noord invested 42 million Dutch guilders to build a new dedicated production hall that had a specific climate indoors and allowed serial construction in the same way as for aircraft production.[9][11][12] Inside the production hall there was an assembly line that contained four stations, with each ship staying around 21 weeks at a station before moving to the next.[13] Besides a new hall and tools, the shipyard also had to train personnel to be able to handle fiberglass and fiberglass sheets, which were used to construct the polyester ships.[13] The construction of the 15 minehunters are estimated to have cost a total of 1.3 billion Dutch guilders.[10]

### Mine countermeasure systems

[edit]

To hunt mines the Alkmaar class was equipped with the French DUBM 21B sonar, which was used to detect and classify mines, a Racal Decca 1229 radar and an EVEC plotting system.[14][10] The sonar had a range of almost one kilometer and allowed the ship to search for mines up to a depth of 80 meters underwater.[15][16] In addition, each ship was equipped with two Poisson Auto-Propulsé (PAP) type 104 submarine drones that were used for mine disposal.[17][10] This PAP 104 wire guided drone had a television camera aboard for observation and could be fitted out with explosives to destroy mines from a safe distance.[17][18]

### Armament

[edit]

The Alkmaar class had as armament a single 20 mm machine gun.[1][2]

### Propulsion

[edit]

The minehunters of the Alkmaar class are equipped with a Brons-Werkspoor A-RUB 215 V12 diesel engine that can produce 1900 bhp.[19][20] This non magnetic diesel engine was produced by Brons-Industrie and a development of the earlier Werkspoor RUB 215 diesel engine.[21][22] The Brons-Werkspoor A-RUB 215 V12 diesel engine can drive the two active screws of the minehunters to a maximum speed of 15 knots.[19] Besides the two screws, the minehunters also have a bow thruster.[19]

## Service history

[edit]

Between 1987 and 1989 Maassluis, Hellevoetsluis and Urk were active in the Persian Gulf as part of a Western European Union (WEU) mine clearing operation and placed under Belgian command.[23]

In 1990 Alkmaar and Zierikzee took part in the exercise Safe Pass at the west coast of America.[24]

In 2024 Willemstad, Makkum and Zierikzee took part in BALTOPS alongside other naval ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy.[25]

## Ships in class

[edit]

The ships of the Alkmaar class are named after medium-sized Dutch municipalities that played a role in the Eighty Years' War and can also be accessed by these ships.[2][26]

Alkmaar class construction data[27][4] Pennant no.  | Name  | Builder  | Laid down | Launched  | Commissioned  | Decommissioned  | Fate

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

M 850  | Alkmaar | Van der Giessen-De Noord
Alblasserdam, Netherlands  | 30 January 1979  | 2 May 1982  | 28 May 1983  | 2000  | Sold to Latvia in 2007
M 851  | Delfzijl | 29 May 1980  | 30 October 1982  | 17 August 1983  | 2000  | Sold to Latvia in 2007
M 852  | Dordrecht | 5 January 1981  | 18 February 1983  | 16 November 1983  | 2000  | Sold to Latvia in 2007
M 853  | Haarlem | 16 June 1981  | 6 May 1983  | 12 January 1984  | 2011  | Sold to Pakistan in June 2021[28]
M 854  | Harlingen | 30 November 1981  | 1 July 1983  | 12 April 1984  | 2000  | Sold to Latvia in 2007
M 855  | Scheveningen | 24 May 1982  | 2 December 1983  | 18 July 1984  | 2002  | Sold to Latvia in 2007
M 856  | Maassluis | 7 November 1982  | 27 April 1984  | 12 December 1984  | 2011  | Sold to Bulgaria in 2019[29][30]
M 857  | Makkum | 28 February 1983  | 27 September 1984  | 8 May 1985  | 25 november 2024[31] | Pledged to Ukraine
M 858  | Middelburg | 11 July 1983  | 18 February 1985  | 10 December 1986  | 2011  | Sold to Pakistan in June 2021[28]
M 859  | Hellevoetsluis | 12 December 1983  | 18 July 1985  | 20 February 1987  | 2011  | Sold to Bulgaria in 2019[32][30]
M 860  | Schiedam | 7 May 1984  | 12 December 1985  | 9 July 1986  |  |
M 861  | Urk | 1 October 1984  | 2 May 1986  | 10 December 1986  | 22 June 2022[33] |
M 862  | Zierikzee | 25 February 1985  | 1 October 1986  | 7 May 1987  |  |
M 863  | Vlaardingen | 5 May 1986  | 6 August 1988  | 15 March 1989  | 27 March 2024[34] | Pledged to Ukraine
M 864  | Willemstad | 6 October 1986  | 27 January 1989  | 20 September 1989  |  |

## Export

[edit]

### Ukraine

[edit]

In March 2023 it was reported that the Netherlands would donate two Alkmaar-class minehunters to Ukraine.[35][36] The transfer of these ships would most likely start from 2025.[37][38]

## Notes

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b c van Amstel (1991), p. 80.
2. ^ a b c Woudstra (1982), p. 156.
3. ^ Raven (1988), p. 185.
4. ^ a b Schoonoord (2012), p. 320.
5. ^ "Mijnenjager Delfzijl". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 10 August 1981.
6. ^ a b Raven (1988), p. 141.
7. ^ Schoonoord (2012), pp. 202–203.
8. ^ a b "Koningin doopt eerste van nieuw type mijnenbestrijder". Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch). 17 May 1982.
9. ^ a b c "Nieuwe mijnenbestrijder bij marine in gebruik". Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch). 30 May 1983.
10. ^ a b c d Roetering (1997), p. 148.
11. ^ a b "Alkmaarklasse mijnenjagers". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch). 14 March 2023.
12. ^ Woudstra (1982), p. 151.
13. ^ a b Henk Knoop (10 September 1983). "In schone "kraamkamer" bouwt jonge ploeg vijftien polyester marineschepen: Oude werf levert modernste mijnenjagers". De Telegraaf (in Dutch).
14. ^ "Netherlands agrees possible transfer of 2 M-Class frigates and 6 Alkmaar-class Minehunters to Greece". Navy Recognition. 31 October 2021.
15. ^ "Vaten landbouwgif nog niet boven water". Trouw (in Dutch). 18 February 1984.
16. ^ Henk Knoop (22 November 1984). "Geheim Russisch wapen gesnapt in volle zee". De Telegraaf (in Dutch).
17. ^ a b Raven (1988), p. 140.
18. ^ Woudstra (1982), pp. 146-147.
19. ^ a b c Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon (1995), p. 283.
20. ^ "The XVth CIMAC and Rudolf Diesel". Schip en Werf. Vol. 50, no. 12\. Rotterdam: Wyt & Zonen. 1983. pp. 151–152.
21. ^ Wesselo (1985), p. 175.
22. ^ E. van den Pol (1981). "A Meditation on the Diesel engine in relation to the Royal Netherlands Navy" (PDF). RDM-archief. Schip en Werf. pp. 177–178.
23. ^ Schoonoord (2012), p. 245.
24. ^ Roetering (1997), p.153.
25. ^ Mariska Buitendijk (12 June 2024). "Seven Dutch naval vessels partake in NATO exercise". SWZ|Maritime.
26. ^ "Op werf in Alblasserdam:Mijnenvegers Delfzijl en Dordrecht gedoopt". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 28 February 1983.
27. ^ van Amstel (1991), pp. 80-81.
28. ^ a b Jaime Karremann (6 October 2022). "Verkochte mijnenjagers Haarlem en Middelburg onderweg naar Pakistan". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
29. ^ Jaime Karremann (11 November 2019). "Bulgarije koopt twee Nederlandse mijnenjagers". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
30. ^ a b Jaime Karremann (7 September 2020). "Verkochte mijnenjagers onderweg naar Bulgarije". Marineschepen.nl.
31. ^ https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Mijnenjager-Makkum-maandag-uit-dienst-221124.html
32. ^ "Netherlands sold 2 Tripartite class mine hunter to Bulgaria". Navy Recognition. 15 November 2019.
33. ^ Jaime Karremann (7 June 2022). "Mijnenjager Zr.Ms. Urk wordt eind juni uit dienst gesteld". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
34. ^ Jaime Karremann (27 March 2024). "Mijnenjager Vlaardingen uit dienst, Makkum later dit jaar". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).
35. ^ "Nederland belooft Oekraïne mijnenjagers, droneradars en brugslagvaartuig". NOS (in Dutch). 14 March 2023.
36. ^ "Militaire steun aan Oekraïne". Ministerie van Defensie (in Dutch).
37. ^ "Nederland levert mijnenjagers en ander militair materiaal aan Oekraïne". NU.nl (in Dutch). 14 March 2023.
38. ^ Jaime Karremann (14 March 2023). "Nederland gaat mijnenjagers aan Oekraïne schenken". Marineschepen.nl (in Dutch).

## References

[edit]

* Raven, G.J.A., ed. (1988). De kroon op het anker: 175 jaar Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Bataafsche Leeuw. ISBN 90-6707-200-1.
* Roetering, B., ed. (1997). Mijnendienst 1907-1997 90 jaar: feiten, verhalen en anekdotes uit het negentigjarig bestaan van de Mijnendienst van de Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Roetering. ISBN 90-90-10528-X.
* Schoonoord, D.C.L. (2012). Pugno pro patria: de Koninklijke Marine tijdens de Koude Oorlog (in Dutch). Franeker: Van Wijnen. ISBN 978-90-5194-455-6.
* van Amstel, W.H.E. (1991). De schepen van de Koninklijke Marine vanaf 1945 (in Dutch). Alkmaar: De Alk. ISBN 90-6013-997-6.
* Woudstra, F.G.A. (1982). Onze Koninklijke Marine (in Dutch). Alkmaar: De Alk. ISBN 90-6013-915-1.
* Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
* Wesselo, J.H. (1985). "Diesel engine developments in the Netherlands". Schip en Werf. Vol. 52, no. 11\. Rotterdam: Wyt & Zonen. pp. 175–176.

* v
* t
* e

Dutch naval ship classes post-1945

Active

Amphibious transport docks|

* RotterdamS
* Johan de WittS

Frigates|

* Karel Doorman
* De Zeven Provinciën

Mine countermeasures vessels|

* Alkmaar
* GeoseaLS

Joint support ships|

* Karel DoormanS

Patrol vessels|

* Holland
* Noorderhaaks

Submarines|

* Walrus

Research vessels|

* Snellius
* HydrograafS

Auxiliary ships|

* MercuurS
* PelikaanS

Diving support vessels|

* SoembaS
* Cerberus

Landing craft|

* LCU Mk.II
* LCU Mk.III
* LCVP Mk.V(C)

Tugboats|

* Linge
* Schelde
* Breezand
* Noordzee
* Bolder

Training ships|

* Van KinsbergenS
* UraniaS

Single ship of class

Leased ship

Decommissioned

Aircraft carriers|

* Karel DoormanBS
* Karel DoormanBS

Cruisers|

* De Zeven Provinciën

Destroyers|

* KortenaarB
* BanckertBS
* Holland
* Friesland

Frigates|

* BatjanAu
* Van AmstelA
* RoofdierA
* Van Speijk
* Tromp
* Kortenaer
* Jacob van Heemskerck

Patrol vessels|

* Balder

Mine warfare vessels|

* BorndiepB
* GoereeD
* KeetenB
* Beemster
* Onversaagd
* Wildervank
* Dokkum
* Van Straelen

Submarines|

* WalrusA
* Dolfijn
* Zwaardvis

Replenishment ships|

* PoolsterS
* ZuiderkruisS
* AmsterdamS

Research vessels|

* Dreg I
* ZeefakkelS
* Snellius
* Buyskes
* TydemanS

Auxiliary ships|

* WoendiAS
* VulkaanBS
* PelikaanBS
* ZuiderkruisAS
* Van BochoveS
* PelikaanS
* Cornelis DrebbelS
* ThetisS

Diving support vessels|

* CerberusS
* Triton

Landing craft|

* LCU Mk.I
* LCVP I
* LCVP II
* LCVP III

Tugboats|

* SoridoS
* Beatrix
* Dorus RijkersS
* TritonJS
* Bambi
* Berkel
* OrkaanS
* WambrauS
* WamandaiS
* Westgat

Training ships|

* HobeinDS
* UraniaS

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