Armament is a mix of projectile- and missile-based weaponry - helping De Zeven Provincien reach its broad multi-mission potential. The former includes 1 x 127mm /54 caliber OTO-Melara Dual-Purpose (DP) turreted deck gun at the forecastle, up to 2 x 30mm "Goalkeeper" Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs), up to 6 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns, and up to 6 x 7.62mm general purpose machine guns. The latter is led by a 40-cell Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) bank capable of firing from a stock of 32 x SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) or 32 x Evolved Sea Sparrow medium-ranged SAMs (the latter supplied in self-contained quadruple packs). Beyond this there are two quad-launchers housing the American "Harpoon" wave-riding anti-ship missile giving the warship a good ranged weapon against surface combatants. The vessel also carries 2 x Mk.32 Mod 9 twin torpedo launchers firing the Raytheon Mk 46 Mod 5 anti-submarine/anti-ship torpedo family.
The turreted deck gun is mounted at the "A" position over the bow with unfettered views around the frontal quadrant of the ship. Aft of this is the VLS missile back and aft of this installation is the bridge section. A wholly-enclosed mast is set atop the bridge section of the superstructure. The superstructure is divided cleanly between a fore and an aft end. The smoke funnels are found at midships and are of a low-profile design, cranked outwards from centerline. The secondary superstructure sports a short radar-equipped mast and hangar for servicing a helicopter. The helipad is set over the stern section of the ship.
A crew of 174 is typical (including air wing personnel) and this balloons to 202 when including a full command staff. The air wing is comprised of a single NHIndustries NH90 series medium-lift helicopter or similar. This aircraft can be equipped to undertake several roles including submarine/ship hunting, general reconnaissance, Search and Rescue (SAR), and at-sea replenishment duties.
Power to the ship is through a COmbined Diesel-And-Gas (CODAG) arrangement in which both diesel and gas units work together to achieve different required actions - either sprinting or general cruising. 2 x Wartsila 16 V26 marine diesels output 5,600 horsepower each and 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey SM IC gas turbines are rated at 24,800 horsepower each. There are also 4 x Wartsila-Deutz D620 V12 diesel-generators adding a further 2,250 horsepower each and all this drives power to 2 x Shafts under stern.
The warship can make headway at speeds of 30 knots and range out to 4,600 miles. Dimensions include a length of 473 feet, a beam of 62 feet, and a draught of 17 feet. Displacement is 6,050 tonnes under full loads.
The Royal Dutch Navy does not field a deep collection of ships when compared to the naval powers of the world but the ships on hand are very advanced and modern for their roles. They are largely of Dutch origin and incorporate some foreign weapons such as the Italian deck gun and American missiles. Its air defense capabilities have been proven against aerial drone targets with an excellent success rate thus far.
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