The Dutch Navy Amphibious Operations Support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman A833 berthed in Cobh, Co. Cork on 3rd October with three helicopters on deck – two AS532 Cougars and an NH90. This ship is the largest in the Royal Netherlands Navy and is also used by the German Navy.
It is 204m long. The long afterdeck runs over half the ship’s length and has space for launching or recovering two helicopters at the same time. The ship has hangarage for six helicopters and carries landing craft that can be recovered by crane or through the stern dock. It has a roll-on/roll-off ramp for military vehicles of all kinds. Its roles are carrying and supporting amphibious troops and stores for fleet replenishment at sea.
Cougar S-441 & S-442. The Dutch Air Force have 12 of this military version of the Super Puma which carries 20 troops. Roles are transport and CSAR – Combat Search & Rescue. One had dark green, green and brown camouflage with full colour Dutch military insignia. The other was overall dark grey including the national insignia.
NH90 N175. This is the navalised NFH which stands for NATO Frigate Helicopter. Its roles are anti-shipping, anti-submarine warfare, but also transport and SAR. It is a bright grey/cream colour scheme with national insignia in colour.
