Rotterdam

The Rotterdam was specially built to conduct amphibious operations and has a large multirole capacity. It can accommodate 600 marines over long distances and has stowage for 170 light vehicles or 33 tanks. It has a hangar bay capable of holding several helicopters, and two Sea Kings can operate from its helicopter deck simultaneously. The Rotterdam has a crew of about 120.

The Dutch Marine Corps had been seeking an amphibious platform for power projection purposes since the late 1950s. In the early 1980s, the RNlN acknowledged the requirement for an amphibious transport capability and preliminary design work began in 1984. A formal staff requirement was developed in December 1988. In 1990, the Spanish Government expressed interest in a ship similar to the vessel that was under (Rotterdam class) development by the RNlN. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries in June 1992. In Spain, a parallel initiative resulted in the construction of Galacia by Empresa Nacional Bazan. Galacia was commissioned on 30 April 1998, and a second unit (Castilla) followed a few years later. Galacia and Rotterdam are near-sisters, with some differences in the propulsion and combat systems.

The Dutch Rotterdam class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ship has a displacement of 14000 tons. The mission of the Rotterdam class is as an amphibious support ship capable of world wide operation. Rotterdam is capable of carrying out helicopter operations in high sea states, up to Sea State 6. Operations with landing craft are possible up to Sea State 4. Amphibious tasks include the ability to embark, transport and disembark one Marine Corps battalion, including the associated combat and logistic support vehicles and equipment.

The ship carries provisions and stores for battalion transportation for more than 10 days. The vessel is also capable of transferring reserve forces and for the evacuation of casualties. Two Signaal Goalkeeper close in weapon systems are installed on the bow deck and on the upper deck immediately overlooking the helicopter landing deck. To support the Goalkeeper CIWS, a Signaal IRSCAN infrared search and track system is fitted. IRSCAN can detect and track targets to a maximum range of 20 km. Four Oerlikon 20 mm guns are located on the bridge deck. Rotterdam has the capacity to carry up to 36 torpedoes in the magazine area.

As well as armaments, Hr Ms Rotterdam has extensive fully equipped hospital facilities with a medical treatment room, a medical operating theatre and a medical laboratory. The 58 x 25 metre flight deck has landing spots for two large helicopters such as the EH 101. The aircraft hangar is sufficiently large to accommodate up to four EH101 helicopter or six medium size helicopters such as the Super Puma or the NH 90. The hangar has extensive helicopter maintenance and spares facilities. Hr Ms Rotterdam has facilities to transport 170 armoured personnel carriers, or 33 main battle tanks, and also docking facilities for up to six landing craft, for example six LCVP Mark 3, four LCU Mark 9 or four LCM 8 landing craft.

The ship is operated by a crew of 124 including 13 officers. Accommodation is also provided for a fully equipped marine battalion or up to 613 troops. The ship is equipped with four Stork Wartsila diesel generators, model 12SW28 generating 14 MW, and two Holec motors generating 12 MW, driving two shafts. The bow thruster is rated at 185 kW. The top speed is over 18 knots, and the range at 12 knots is over 6,000 miles.

Johan de Witt

A second ship in the class entered service in 2006. This ship is an enhanced derivative of Rotterdam, including expanded amphibious command and control facilities and a larger flight deck. The second unit was 10 meters (32 ft) longer, and one meter (3 ft) wider to handle the United Kingdom's Mk X utility landing craft (LCU). Additionally, the second vessel is configured to embark a 400-strong Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) headquarters afloat.

In addition to platforms, the Dutch also contribute a full Royal Netherlands Marine Corps battalion plus its supporting units, while they plan to provide a "balanced task group comprising frigates, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft, supported by submarines and mine countermeasure ships" to escort the amphibious task group from Western Europe to a crisis area where it would be needed.

Johan de Witt is the second LPD in use by the Royal Netherlands Navy. The main mission of the Johan de Witt is the transport and disembarkation of a fully equipped battalion marines to the objective area using organic landing assets such as helicopters and landing craft or existing port facilities. In addition the ship is provided with Combined Joint Task Force facilities (CJTF), involving 402 men. With the required capabilities the ship is also well suited for secondary missions such as military sealift or disaster relief. Johan de Witt will have a larger vehicle transport capacity than the Rotterdam, which has demonstrated full functionality for dock and helicopter operations in all weather conditions. The platform of the Johan de Witt has been designed with generous operational spaces, deck areas and mobilisation and access routes to ensure swift adaptation to various tasks. The vessel has facilities for extensive medical and surgical care.

Enforcer Family

Royal Schelde has also launched a family of four export designs, referred to as the Enforcer Family, which is based on the Rotterdam class. The Enforcer Family is described as "cheap and cheerful" versions of the Rotterdam class, with costs reduced through increased modularity, reduced top speeds, and increased use of commercial construction standards. Some versions are also shorter in length, while the propulsion machinery has been moved from the original amidships position to two hull sections flanking the well dock. The four Enforcer designs vary in length from 126.2m (414 ft) to 162.2m (532.2 ft), and in displacement from 9,180 tons to 14,000 tons. The ship's complement would be 124 for all four designs. Enforcer 1 to 3 could transport 501 troops and Enforcer 4 could embark 613.