Auxiliary ship replacement program#Ocean going
{{short description|Ship design project of the Royal Netherlands Navy}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:Artist impression of the Auxiliary ship replacement program.jpg | Ship caption = Impression by DMO }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Auxiliary ship replacement program | Builders = | Operators = {{Navy|Netherlands}} | Class before = | Class after = | Subclasses = | Cost = {{ShipCost|FRA|250|m|year=|qty=}} to {{ShipCost|FRA|1|b|year=2023|qty=8}} | Built range = | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = *4 Seagoing
| Total ships completed = | Total ships canceled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship type = | Ship displacement = | Ship length = | Ship beam = | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = Methanol capable diesel engines | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship complement = | Ship crew = | Ship sensors = | Ship armament = | Ship armour = | Ship aircraft = 1x Unmanned aerial vehicle | Ship aircraft facilities = Hangar for a single UAV | Ship notes = }} |
The Auxiliary ship replacement program is set to replace ten auxiliary ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy from various classes by eight new ships which will be built by a Dutch shipyard.
History
In 2020 the A-letter was sent by the Dutch Defence Materiel Administration (DMO) to the House of Representatives outlining the plans for the new ships. The program will consists of two variants, a coastal variant and an ocean going one. The first ship was supposed to enter service in 2024. But due to delays in the decision making this was pushed back.{{cite web |url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/A-Brief-vervanging-hulpvaartuigen-CZSK-080520.html |title=Vervanging van tien Nederlandse marineschepen ineens |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |access-date=15 February 2023 |language=nl}}
The B-letter followed in June 2022 specifying further details. For example that the ships need to be carbon neutral and that they need to be able to use methanol capable diesel engines.{{cite web |url=https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2022Z12338&did=2022D25427 |title=Project ‘Vervanging hulpvaartuigen’ |publisher=Dutch Government |access-date=15 February 2023 |language=nl}}{{cite web |url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2022/06/16/nieuwe-hulpvaartuigen-marine-worden-klimaatneutraal#:~:text=Planning,grotendeels%20dezelfde%20schepen%20effici%C3%ABnter%20is. |title=Nieuwe hulpvaartuigen marine worden klimaatneutraal |publisher=Defensie.nl |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=nl}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/06/16/kamerbrief-b-brief-project-vervanging-hulpvaartuigen |title=Kamerbrief B-brief project ‘Vervanging hulpvaartuigen’ |publisher=Rijksoverheid.nl |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=nl}}
The new vessels are planned along the lines of the commercial off-the-shelf concept. In 2024 the builder will be announced in the D-letter, following a RfQ which will be sent out in 2023.
In February 2023 it was revealed that three major shipyards are interested in the project. These yards are the Damen Group, Royal IHC & Thecla Bodewes. Two smaller shipyards are also rumored to be interested in the program, but possible only for the building of the coastal version. These yards are Holland Shipyards & Neptune Marine.{{cite web |url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Rond-vervanging-hulpvaartuigen-is-het-stil-140223.html |title=Zeker drie Nederlandse werven geïnteresseerd in bouw nieuwe ondersteuningsschepen marine |publisher=Marineschepen.nl |access-date=28 February 2023 |language=nl}}
= Ocean going =
The sea going variant will replace the five larger vessels:
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| colspan=2 | Ship
! Type ! First in service ! Expected end of life |
|---|
| colspan=2 | {{HNLMS|Mercuur|A900}}
| 1987 | 2026 |
| colspan=2 | {{HNLMS|Van Kinsbergen|A902}}
| 1999 | 2024 |
| rowspan=2 | {{sclass|Snellius|hydrographic survey vessel|4}}
| {{HNLMS|Snellius|A802}} | rowspan=2 | Hydrographic survey vessel | 2003 | 2033 |
| {{HNLMS|Luymes|A803}}
| 2004 | 2034 |
| colspan=2 | {{HNLMS|Pelikaan|A804}}
| 2006 | 2031 |
= Coastal =
The coastal variant will replace the five smaller vessels:
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| colspan=2 | Ship
! Type ! First in service ! Expected end of life |
|---|
| colspan=2 | {{HNLMS|Soemba|A850}}
| 1989 | 2026 / 2027 |
| rowspan=4 | {{sclass|Cerberus|diving support vessel|4}}
| {{HNLMS|Cerberus|A851}} | rowspan=4 | Diving support vessel | 1992 | rowspan=4 | 2026 / 2027 |
| {{HNLMS|Argus|A852}}
| 1992 |
| {{HNLMS|Nautilus|A853}}
| 1992 |
| {{HNLMS|Hydra|A854}}
| 1992 |