Name Tromp class Operators Royal Netherlands Navy In commission 1974–2000 | Builders Royal Schelde Shipyard Built 1971–1974 | |
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Succeeded by De Zeven Provinciën class | ||
The Tromp class were two frigates built for the Royal Netherlands Navy during the 1970s to replace the De Zeven Provinciën-class cruisers as squadron flagships.
The Tromp-class frigates entered service in 1975 and 1976 and served until 1999 and 2001. Both ships were built by Royal Schelde Shipyard in Flushing (Vlissingen). The ships served as fleet flagships and area air defence vessels. Their 3D radar under a large polyester radome, gave the ships the nickname "Kojak" in the Netherlands Navy. Originally the ships were to have the British Sea Dart missile system, but this was changed to the more compact American Standard surface-to-air missile. During the Cold War these ships were praised for their highly efficient capabilities in both sensors, weaponry and seakeeping often illustrated during exercises beating and surprising the opponents and their ability to stay operational even during adverse weather conditions. Though the Dutch referred to the class as frigates, they ultimately were multipurpose destroyers with high seagoing capabilities.
The ships were replaced by the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates. A total of four new frigates have been built, including two also named Tromp and De Ruyter.