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Wielingen-class frigate

{{Short description|Class of frigates in the Belgian Navy}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox ship begin}}

{{Infobox ship image

| Ship image =Bulgarian frigate Verni (42) in the Black Sea in July 2015.JPG

| Ship caption = Verni, the former {{ship|Belgian frigate|Wielingen|F910|2}}, in 2015

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

| Name = Wielingen class

| Builders = *Boelwerf Shipyard

| Operators = *{{Navy|Belgium}}

  • {{Navy|Bulgaria}}

| Class before = {{sclass|Algerine|minesweeper|4}}

| Class after = {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|4}}

| Subclasses =

| Cost =

| Built range = 1974–1978

| In commission range = 1976–present

| Total ships building =

| Total ships planned = 4

| Total ships completed = 4

| Total ships cancelled =

| Total ships active = 3

| Total ships laid up =

| Total ships lost =

| Total ships scrapped = 1

| Total ships retired =

| Total ships preserved =

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption =

| Ship type = Guided-missile frigate

| Ship displacement ={{cvt|2283|t|LT}} at full load

| Ship length = {{cvt|106.4|m|ftin}} oa

| Ship beam = {{cvt|12.3|m|ftin}}

| Ship draught = {{cvt|5.6|m|ftin}}

| Ship power =

| Ship propulsion = *CODOG

| Ship speed = {{convert|28|kn|lk=in}}

| Ship range = {{cvt|4500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{cvt|18|kn}}

| Ship complement = 160

| Ship sensors = *1 Hollandse Signaal Apparaten DA-05 surveillance radar

  • 1 Hollandse Signaal Apparaten WM-25 targeting radar
  • 2 EOMS IR/Video optical targeting cameras
  • 1 AN/SQS-510 sonar

| Ship EW =

| Ship armament = *1 100 mm Creusot-Loire automatic cannon

| Ship notes =

}}

The Wielingen class is a class of four multi-functional frigates constructed for and operated by the Belgian Naval Component. In service from 1976 to 2008 with the Belgians, three of the class were sold to Bulgaria for service with the Bulgarian Navy beginning in 2004. The fourth, {{ship|Belgian frigate|Westhinder|F913|2}}, ran aground in 1988, was decommissioned in 1993 and was scrapped.

Design and description

File:Everhardus Koster - Anno 1666. De slag in de Wielingen - SA 4952 - Amsterdam Museum.jpg, off Zeeland in 1666]]

The Belgian government began studies in 1969 for a new type of escort that would meet the requirements of escort missions in the North Sea and English Channel during the Cold War. The design would also only be limited to weapon systems already in service with or under development by NATO navies. The design also emphasized seaworthiness, automation and watertight integrity.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}{{efn|Moore has the program approved on 23 June 1971 with design studies only commenced in July 1973.{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}}} The weapons systems, with the exception of the Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile (SSM) were French. The radar and tactical data systems were Dutch and the hull and machinery were constructed in Belgium. As part of the project, the Belgian government made Belgian shipbuilding participation mandatory in the construction of the new ships.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}

The frigates feature an action information centre between decks and the ships could be split into two independent gas-tight citadels in the case of nuclear, biological or chemical warfare. All machinery could be controlled from a central control station.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}} The vessels measured {{convert|103.0|m|ftin}} long between perpendiculars and {{cvt|106.4|m|ftin}} overall with a beam of {{cvt|12.3|m|ftin}} and a draught of {{cvt|5.6|m|ftin}}.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}{{efn|Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon have the draught at {{cvt|5.3|m|ftin}}.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}}} The ships had a light displacement of {{convert|1880|t|LT|lk=on}} and {{cvt|2283|t|LT}} at full load.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}} By 2004, the light displacement had increased to {{cvt|1940|t|LT}} and to {{cvt|2430|t|LT}} at full load.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}}

The ships are propelled by a two-shaft combined diesel or gas (CODOG) system. This is composed of a single Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbine creating {{convert|28000|shp|lk=on|order=flip}} and giving the frigates a maximum speed of {{convert|28|kn|lk=in}} or two Cockerill CO 240 V12 diesel engines creating {{cvt|6000|bhp|lk=out|order=flip}} with a maximum speed of {{convert|20|kn}} on both diesels or {{convert|15|kn}} on just one.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}} These turned controllable pitch propellers.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} The frigates have a range of {{convert|4500|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|18|kn}}.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}} The vessels also had four 500 kW diesel alternators for electric production. They had a complement of 160 including 15 officers in Belgian service.{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}

The Wielingen class were armed with four launchers for MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles,{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}} later converted to two twin launchers.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} They were equipped with a Mark 29 octuple launcher for eight RIM-7M Sea Sparrow SAMs. These were later upgraded to the RIM-7P model.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} The frigates also mount a single French 100 mm naval gun, one six-barrelled Bofors 375mm anti submarine rockets anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rocket launcher with Bofors rockets, and two catapults for L5 torpedoes.{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}{{efn|"/55 calibre" refers to the length of the gun in terms of calibres, or the bore diameter of the gun.}} The class was fitted with two eight-barrelled Corvus chaff launchers, a Sagem Vigy 105 optronic director, a Signaal DA-05 air/surface search radar, a WM-25 surface search radar, SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar, and the SEWACO IV tactical data system with Link 11 capability. They were also given Argos AR 900 intercept electronic support measures and SLQ-25 Dixie torpedo decoy system.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}}

Ships in the class

class="wikitable"
colspan="8" |Wielingen class construction data{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|pp=48, 70}}
style="background:#efefef;"

! Name

! Pennant number

! Builder

! Laid down

! Launched

! Commissioned

! Paid off

! Status/Fate

{{ship|Belgian frigate|Wielingen|F910|2}}

| F910

| Boelwerf, Temse

| 5 March 1974

| 30 March 1976

| 20 January 1978

| 2006

| Sold to Bulgaria in 2008, refurbished and commissioned as Verni (Верни – Faithful) (42)

{{ship|Belgian frigate|Westdiep|F911|2}}

| F911

| Cockerill, Hoboken, Antwerp

| 2 September 1974

| 8 December 1975

| 20 January 1978

| 5 October 2007

| Sold to Bulgaria in 2008, refurbished and commissioned as Gordi (Горди – Proud) (43)

{{ship|Belgian frigate|Wandelaar|F912|2}}

| F912

| Boelwerf, Temse

| 28 March 1975{{efn|Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon have the date as 5 March 1975.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}}}}

| 21 June 1977

| 3 October 1978

| 2004

| Sold to Bulgaria in 2004, refurbished and commissioned as Drazki (Дръзки – Daring) (41)

{{ship|Belgian frigate|Westhinder|F913|2}}

| F913

| Cockerill, Hoboken, Antwerp

| 8 December 1975

| 30 March 1976

| 20 January 1978

| 1 July 1993

| Ran aground in 1988, Scrapped 7 November 2000{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=48}}

Construction and career

The construction programme of four ships was approved on 23 June 1971 and an order was placed with two Belgian shipyards in October 1973.{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}}{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} Construction of the ships began in 1974. The first two ships, Wielingen and Westdiep, were first delivered in December 1976. However, they were both sent back to their yards for an engine overhaul which was completed in 1977.{{sfn|Moore|1980|p=51}} The four ships, including the final two Wandelaar and Westhinder, all entered service in 1978.{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|Budzbon|1995|p=25}} All four ships were based at Zeebrugge.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} Westhinder was damaged during an anti-submarine exercise off the coast of Norway in September 1988, striking a rock.{{sfn|Warship International}} The ship was decommissioned on 1 July 1993 and then used as a parts hulk for the other frigates. The hulk was towed to Ghent for scrapping on 7 November 2000.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=48}} Following the loss of Westhinder, two of the frigates were kept operational while the third was placed in reserve or under refit.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=53}} The third ship, Wandelaar, was decommissioned in 2004 and was sold to the Bulgarian Navy the same year. Wielingen and Westdiep were decommissioned in 2007 sold to Bulgaria in 2008.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=70}}

=Bulgarian naval service=

Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and sought out options to replace their older Soviet-era fleet to fulfill their obligations with the organisation. In May 2004 the Bulgarian government agreed to purchase new equipment for the Bulgarian Navy.{{sfn|Sanders|2015|pp=75–76}} On 4 December 2004, a letter of intent was signed by the government and the first ship, Wandelaar was acquired. Approval of the purchase came only on 17 March 2005 and Wandelaar was transferred to Bulgaria in October 2005. The ship was renamed Drazki.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=90}} Drazki was followed by the remaining two frigates of the class, with confirmation of their acquisition on 7 December 2007. Bulgaria took possession of Westdiep on 22 August 2008 and renamed the frigate Gordi followed by Wielingen in February 2009 which was renamed Verni.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=90}}{{sfn|Sanders|2015|p=76}} In 2011 Drazki took part in NATO operations against Libya and since then, the vessels have participated in several naval exercises with Turkey.{{sfn|Sanders|2015|pp=76–77}}

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

Citations

{{reflist|30em}}

References

{{Commons category|Wielingen class frigate}}

  • {{cite book |editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |editor-last3=Budzbon |editor-first3=Przemysław |name-list-style=amp |year=1995 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-55750-132-7}}
  • {{cite book |editor-last=Moore |editor-first=John |year=1980 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1980–81 |edition=83rd |publisher=Jane's Publishing Incorporated |location=New York |isbn=0-531-03937-4}}
  • {{cite journal |last=Sanders |first=Deborah |title=The Bulgarian Navy After the Cold War: Challenges of Building and Modernizing an Effective Navy |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26397836?seq=8 |journal=Naval War College Review |volume=8 |number=62 |date=Spring 2015 |pages=69–84 |jstor=26397836}}
  • {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2004 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=107th |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=0-7106-2623-1}}
  • {{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |edition=112th |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=0-7106-2888-9}}
  • {{cite journal |title=Naval Intelligence |journal=Warship International |volume=26 |number=2 |date=1989 |page=191 |publisher=International Naval Research Organization |ref={{sfnref|Warship International}}}}
  • {{cite book |editor-last=Wertheim |editor-first=Eric |year=2013 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World |edition=16th |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=9-7-815911-4954-5}}

{{Wielingen class frigate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wielingen}}

Category:Frigate classes