The sale of HNLMS Amsterdam in 2014 left a gap in the navy's ability to replenish its own ships and those of allies. The successor of HNLMS Zuiderkruis, HNLMS Karel Doorman, was not capable enough as it was not built as a full-fledged replenishment oiler. In 2017 a study started to look at the possibility of a new tanker to fulfill this task.[11]
In 2019 the so called D-letter, the final process before the contract can be signed, was sent to the Tweede Kamer for approval.[12][13][14][15] With the contract signing following two months later on the bridge of HNLMS Karel Doorman.[5][6]
The ship carries two 40-ton cranes and can carry up to 24 sea containers. It can dispense 7,600 cubic metres (2,000,000 US gal; 1,700,000 imp gal; 7,600,000 L) of diesel (including for its own use), 1,000 m3 (260,000 US gal; 220,000 imp gal; 1,000,000 L) of helicopter fuel (including for its own use), 226 m3 (60,000 US gal; 50,000 imp gal; 226,000 L) of drinking water and 434 tons of other goods, including ammunition. The vessel can accommodate up to two NH90 NFH helicopters or, alternatively, one NH90 NFH and two UAVs. It carries two LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) and 2 FRISC (Fast Raiding Intercepting Special Forces Craft). The ship's infirmary operates as a Role 2 hospital (providing limited hospital capability, including surgery).[16]
It is the first time a vessel is named after the city of Den Helder, which is home to the Netherlands main naval base.
Construction
Launch of hull sections 2 & 3
The first steel was cut in a ceremony on 2 December 2020 at the Damen yard in Galați.[17] On 2 June Damen Shipyards Galați has performed the keel-laying ceremony on the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder.[18] The keel-laying ceremony was performed by the Director Defence Material Organisation (DMO), vice admiral Arie Jan de Waard and vice admiral Rob Kramer, Commander Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).[19] The ship was formally laid down on 2 June 2021.[20] The first major section, measuring 90 m (300 ft), of the new vessel was launched in Galați on 11 April 2022.[21] The assembled ship was floated and moved to another part of the building dock in October 2022 with work expected to continue through 2023. Sea trials are anticipated in early 2024.[9][22]
In October 2023 it was reported that Damen had delivered a virtual reality version of HNLMS Den Helder to Command Materiel and IT, which can be used to train the new crew.[23] The same month the diesel generators were started for the first time aboard the ship.[24] In October 2023 DXC delivered GDIT's VirtualShip version of Den Helder for bridge crew training at Nieuwe Haven.[citation needed]
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