Yesterday, the Royal Netherlands Navy deployed its air defense and command frigate HNLMS De Ruyter to monitor two Russian vessels transiting its Exclusive Economic Zone, namely the tanker General Skobolev and the Russian Navy corvette Soobrazitelny. For now, it was a routine deployment, as the passage of both ships through the zone is legal and occurred without major incidents.
According to an official statement from the Dutch Ministry of Defense, it is of utmost importance to protect the area, given that many of the country’s critical infrastructures lie in its part of the North Sea. In particular, the presence of pipelines containing communication cables, which are vital for internet connectivity, is highlighted.
On this matter, Admiral René Tas of the Royal Netherlands Navy stated on social media: “This weekend, the @kon_marine escorted two Russian Navy ships sailing through the Exclusive Economic Zone. For safety on and from the sea, both globally and close to home!”
Recalling some of the capabilities of the frigate HNLMS De Ruyter, it is worth mentioning that it is a De Zeven Provinciën-class ship, which was commissioned in 2004. Manufactured by Damen, the ship displaces a total of 6,050 tons at full load, contained within a space measuring 144.24 meters in length and about 19 meters in beam. In terms of its propulsion system, the vessel is equipped with two Wärtsilä marine diesel engines (6,800 hp) and two Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM 1C gas turbines (26,000 hp each).
As for its armament, the frigate is equipped with a 127mm/54 Oto Melara dual-purpose gun, complemented by Browning M2 12.7mm machine guns and FN MAG 7.62mm machine guns. Additionally, the De Ruyter features 40 vertical missile launch cells, capable of deploying SM-2 IIIA and Seasparrow surface-to-air missiles, as well as torpedo and Harpoon missile launchers. Lastly, regarding its most important sensors, the vessel is equipped with a Thales-manufactured SMART-L long-range air and surface surveillance radar and an APAR air and surface search, tracking, and guidance radar, among others.
Image credits: @admiraalTas on X
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