HNLMS Rotterdam halfway in midlife update
Last Saturday, HNLMS Rotterdam left Amsterdam after six months of maintenance and modernization The Dutch LPD is halfway through the midlife update, the rest of the program will be completed in Den Helder.
All images: © Jaime Karremann/ Naviesworldwide.com
In February 2018, HNLMS Rotterdam arrived in Amsterdam at Damen Shiprepair. This location was chosen because the 166-meter-long ship is too big for the docks in Den Helder. Much work has been done on the ship in Amsterdam: the propeller shafts were removed and maintained, pipelines were replaced, a ballast water cleaning system was added, the ship was painted, new cables were laid, and two new masts were installed.
For the modernization, both the opsroom and the amphibious command centre have been cleared and converted. These have been merged into one and the rooms have been provided with new equipment.
An important milestone in the modernization process will be the placement of the Thales NS106 radar, which replaces the old DA08 radar, in September.. The NS106 radar is an AESA radar, a variant on the NS100 that is also used by the Singapore Navy. In addition to that, the Rotterdam also receives the Thales Gatekeeper, an HD camera system. One camera is placed under the bridge, three others to the rear and side. This way, a 360-degree view can continuously be provided.
On Saturday, September 1st , the Rotterdam was towed to Den Helder, where the project is being continued. The platform is expected to be ready by December and modernization will be completed by the end of March 2019.