An ambitious Peruvian Navy has acquired the fast combat support ship HNLMS Amsterdam for an undisclosed fee. Transfer of the 17,000-tonne replenishment ship, complete with her 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS, is scheduled for December. An economic upturn in Peru has enabled the acquisition, which is part of long-term plans to develop the navy into a more capable, open ocean force.
Built in 1995, the ship can supply 8,475 tonnes of fuel and 290 tonnes of stores from four abeam RAS stations or by VERTREP. She is also equipped with a large flight deck and hangar capable of operating up to three medium-sized helicopters.
The sale will leave the RNLN without a tanker until her replacement, Karel Doorman, becomes operational in 2015. The new Joint Logistic Support Ship was delivered in July after successful sea trials, which included her first replenishment-at-sea with the frigate HNLMS Tromp.
