Dutch navy air defence and command frigate HNLMS De Ruyter gears up for post-refit trials

HNLMS De Ruyter (F 804), 10.2013 (Michael Nitz - Naval Press Service)

The Royal Netherlands Navy's (RNLN's) third De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence and command frigate (luchtverdedigings en commandofregatten - LCF) HNLMS De Ruyter (F 804) is preparing to start its sea-acceptance tests (SATs) in late March, following the completion of a major maintenance and capability upgrade.

Under current timelines, De Ruyter is planned to be fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2023, a DMO spokesperson told Janes . Meanwhile, HNLMS Eversten (F 805), the final ship to undergo its MLU, is expected to start its SAT period in the second quarter of 2024, with a view to the ship being fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2024, the spokesperson said.

De Ruyter and Eversten complete the four-ship De Zeven Provinciën class, which are receiving MLUs to extend their service lives into the 2030s when a new Future Air Defender is planned to start entering service.

The MLUs, which started with HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën