NRP D. João II

Class overview
Builders	Damen Shipyards Galați
Operators	Portuguese Navy
Built	2024-present
Planned	1
Building	1
Portugal
Name	D. João II
Ordered	24 November 2023
Builder	Damen Group
Laid down	3 October 2024[1]
General characteristics
Type	Multi-purpose ship
Displacement	7,000 t (6,900 long tons)
Length	107.6 m (353 ft 0 in)
Beam	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Propulsion	2 Tier III motors
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	4
Capacity	18 containers/ 18 vehicles or 10 semi-rigid boats
Troops	Up to 300 soldiers in emergency situation
Complement	48
Aircraft carried	2 × helicopters and UAVs
Aviation facilities	2 × hangars

NRP D. João II, also known as the Multifunctional Naval Platform, will be a multipurpose ship for the Portuguese Navy, capable of carrying out surveillance operations, oceanographic research, environmental and meteorological monitoring, as well as emergency evacuation missions.^[2] It is funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) that is part of Next Generation EU.^[3][4]

History

The contract for the construction of this ship was signed on 24 November 2023 with Damen Group. Construction will be carried out at the Damen shipyard in Galați, Romania^[5] and the ship is expected to enter active service in the second half of 2026.^[6] The keel laying ceremony took place on 3 October 2024.^[7] In October 2024 it was reported that Alewijnse had been contracted to complete the electrical installation of the ship.^[8]

Design

The design of the Multifunctional Naval Platform (PNM) was made by Damen based on the requirements laid down by the Portuguese Navy.^[9] The ship will have a total length of 107.6 metres (353 ft 0 in), and will function as an aerial, land and underwater drone carrier, increasing its ocean research and monitoring capacity.^[10] To perform marine ecology monitoring and oceanic research and surveillance, the ship will be equipped with laboratories and have accommodation for scientific personnel.^[11][12] When it comes to naval support the ship will have a 94-by-11-metre (308 ft × 36 ft) flight deck and hangars that can host unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.^[13][14] Furthermore, the PNM has a stern ramp for unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles.^[9]

General characteristics

• 94 metre runway for unmanned aerial vehicle;
• Deck for landing heavy helicopter such as the Portuguese Air Force AgustaWestland AW101s;
• 1 hangar capable of holding a helicopter;
• 1 hangar/workshop for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones);
• Catapult for launching drones;
• Capacity for 18 military light utility vehicles / 18 containers or 10 speedboats;
• Lower hangar with cranes and rails for handling containers;
• Capacity to transport 4 speedboats;
• Side door for vehicle entry;
• Crane with a capacity of 30 tonnes;
• Ramp for disembarking boats;
• Side hangar for operating a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) with a cargo lift;
• Area to receive 100 people/military personnel with accommodation and toilets;
• Capacity for 42 scientists;
• In an emergency situation, it can accommodate a further 200 people in the lower hangar;
• Laboratories;
• A Role 2 NATO hospital;
• Accommodations for its garrison.

See also

• List of active Portuguese Navy ships

References

1. "Damen holds joint steel cutting and keel laying ceremony for Portuguese Navy's Multi-Purpose Ship". navelnews.com. 3 October 2024.
2. Cerimónia de assinatura do contrato para a construção da Plataforma Naval Multifuncional (Gravação), 24 November 2023, retrieved 2023-11-25
3. Mariska Buitendijk (7 October 2024). "Damen lays keel and cuts steel for Portuguese Navy ship". SWZ|Maritime.
4. Mariska Buitendijk (28 October 2024). "Damen to expand ties with Portuguese shipbuilding". SWZ|Maritime.
5. Radu Dumitrescu (7 February 2024). "Damen shipyard in Romania to build drone aircraft carrier for Portuguese navy". romania-insider.com.
6. "Novo navio multifunções da Marinha vai custar 132 milhões de euros e estará pronto em 2026". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-11-25.
7. "Șantierul naval Damen Galați construiește primul portavion de drone din Europa, care va intra în dotarea marinei portugheze". g4media.ro (in Romanian). 3 October 2024.
8. Mariska Buitendijk (23 October 2024). "Alewijnse lands major contract for Portuguese navy ship". SWZ|Maritime.
9. "Portuguese Navy signs contract with Damen Shipyards for innovative Multi-Purpose Vessel". EDR Online. 25 November 2023.
10. "Portuguese Navy signs contract with Damen Shipyards for innovative Multi-Purpose Vessel | Damen". www.damen.com. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
11. "Scheepsbouwer Damen gaat schip van ruim 100 meter bouwen voor Portugese marine". NU.nl (in Dutch). 25 November 2023.
12. "Portugal Navy aims to enter big league by unveiling drone carrier ship". Navy Recognition. 24 November 2023.
13. "Portuguese Navy signs contract with Damen for innovative Multi-Purpose Vessel". Naval News. 25 November 2023.
14. Jeremy Binnie (7 March 2024). "DIMDEX 2024: Portugal orders Damen's new 'drone carrier'". Janes.