First Dutch warship in a decade: Zr.Ms. Den Helder commissioned.

The Royal Netherlands Navy commissioned the combat support ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder on October 1, 2025, in its home port, marking the start of a major modernization program.

The Royal Netherlands Navy officially commissioned the combat support ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder in its home port on October 1, 2025, marking the first new ship added to the Dutch fleet in over ten years. Built at Damen Shipyards in Romania and christened earlier this year, the vessel is designed to supply fuel, ammunition, and medical support to NATO task groups. The commissioning also signals the beginning of a major naval modernization program.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The HNLMS Den Helder’s replenishment capability includes 7,600 cubic meters of marine diesel fuel (F76), 1,000 cubic meters of helicopter fuel (F44), 226 cubic meters of drinking water, and 434 tons of dry goods such as ammunition and spare parts. (Picture source: Dutch Navy)

During the ceremony, the vessel received the designation Zijner Majesteits (this is what Zr. Ms. stands for), and the traditional war pennant was hoisted, formally marking the ship as a naval warship available for national defense and NATO commitments. The commissioning represents the first new ship delivered to the Dutch fleet in more than ten years and is described by the navy as the first step in a broader fleet renewal program. The ship is the first in Dutch naval history to be named after the city of Den Helder, underlining its connection with the principal Dutch naval base. The event concluded a shipbuilding process that began with the 2020 contract signature, followed by construction at Damen Shipyards Galați in Romania, christening by Princess Amalia in February 2025, and delivery to the navy in March 2025.

The commissioning ceremony also featured naval traditions such as the raising of multiple flags, including the war pennant, the kingdom’s flag, and the historic Geus, symbolizing continuity with centuries-old maritime practices. The commanding officer of Zr.Ms. Den Helder, Captain-Lieutenant Stefjan Veenstra, received the ship’s Bible from the naval chaplain, another traditional element of Dutch naval culture. The event was attended by senior naval leadership, including Vice Admiral Harold Liebregs, the new Commander of Naval Forces, who emphasized the significance of the commissioning in strengthening operational readiness. The mayor and municipal officials of Den Helder were also present, reflecting the connection between the vessel and its home city. Prior to commissioning, the ship had already been operationally active in escorting a Russian frigate in the North Sea in September 2025, highlighting that its systems were sufficiently tested to begin limited duties.

Zr.Ms. Den Helder measures 179.5 meters in length, has a beam of 26.4 meters, a draught of 8.3 meters, and a full load displacement of approximately 22,600 tons. Its propulsion is provided by four Wärtsilä W31 diesel generators and two General Electric electric motors, supported by bow and stern thrusters, delivering speeds between 18 and 20 knots. The ship’s crew consists of 76 personnel with capacity for an additional 80, making room for embarked forces, aviation detachments, or other mission-specific personnel. The vessel has accommodation for approximately 150 people in total and was designed with improved internal space compared with earlier ships. The vessel carries two NH90 maritime helicopters or one NH90 and unmanned aerial vehicles, and includes boat facilities for two Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs) and two Fast Raiding Intercepting Special Forces Craft (FRISCs).

The ship’s replenishment capability includes 7,600 cubic meters of marine diesel fuel (F76), 1,000 cubic meters of helicopter fuel (F44), 226 cubic meters of drinking water, and 434 tons of dry goods such as ammunition and spare parts. It can carry and operate approximately 20 to 24 standard containers depending on configuration, and is fitted with two 40-ton cranes, a stores crane, and two replenishment-at-sea (RAS) masts for liquids and solids, enabling simultaneous fueling of two ships. This design allows the vessel to support up to six combatants in a task group during prolonged operations at sea. Its cargo handling systems are designed for operations in adverse weather, making it capable of sustaining operations in multiple environments worldwide. The ship is not intended for large amphibious lift or land operations support, roles that remain the responsibility of the Joint Support Ship Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman.

The medical capability on board is classified as a Role 2 facility, meaning it is equipped to perform surgical operations and provide inpatient care. This capacity allows the ship to serve as a medical support platform during combat operations or humanitarian missions. Crew and personnel training has already emphasized the medical and technical roles of the vessel, ensuring its readiness for both operational and humanitarian deployments. The vessel’s aviation deck and hangar allow for casualty evacuation and medical transfer via helicopters, integrating its medical role with its logistics functions. In addition to medical and logistic roles, the vessel can support missions such as counter-narcotics operations, disaster relief, and support to NATO task groups.

The ship is armed with defensive systems primarily for self-protection. Its current outfit includes two Leonardo Lionfish .50 caliber remote-controlled weapon stations, 7.62 mm MAG machine guns, and Dillon 7.62 mm miniguns, supported by Kelvin Hughes navigation radars, Thales UK electronic support measures, and the Thales NS106 radar for situational awareness. The vessel embarks helicopters that can also provide armed overwatch if needed. The navy’s long-term plan is to up-arm the vessel with a Leonardo 76/62 Sovraponte gun, a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launcher, and the Thales Pharos fire-control radar. These upgrades were delayed as part of budgetary measures but are scheduled to be installed progressively, beginning with the 76 mm and RAM during the first maintenance period before 2028. Until then, the ship will rely on its existing defensive fit and protection provided by escorts.

Zr.Ms. Den Helder is the successor to earlier replenishment ships Zr.Ms. Zuiderkruis, which was retired in 2012, and Zr.Ms. Amsterdam, retired in 2014 and later sold to Peru. The interim solution was the multi-role Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman, which was not designed as a full replenishment vessel. The construction of Zr.Ms. Den Helder filled this gap and restored the Netherlands to operating two replenishment ships simultaneously, strengthening NATO’s logistical depth. The program cost approximately €374 million when signed in 2019, equivalent to about €402 million in 2022, and ultimately exceeded €400 million by commissioning.

Additionally, Damen Shipyards led the construction of this vessel with over one hundred Dutch subcontractors involved, ensuring significant industrial participation. The commissioning of Zr.Ms. Den Helder is the first milestone in a larger renewal program that will also see new anti-submarine warfare frigates, mine countermeasure vessels, and submarines enter service by 2030. Following its commissioning, the ship’s immediate schedule includes Caribbean warm-weather trials, degaussing at Norfolk, a visit to New York, and a return to the Netherlands for integration of additional systems before full operational readiness in 2026.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.