At more than 25 years old, Hr. Ms. Zuiderkruis is the Royal Netherlands Navy's second-oldest ship. Along with Hr. Ms. Amsterdam,
Zuiderkruis provides the RNLN with supplies and support during overseas deployments. As her age suggests, Hr. Ms. Zuiderkruis is approaching
the end of her life in the Dutch Navy. She entered service in 1975 as the second ship of the Poolster Class. When Hr. Ms. Amsterdam entered service
in 1995, Hr. Ms. Poolster was sold to Pakistan. A second Amsterdam was supposed to have been built to replace Hr. Ms. Zuiderkruis. Unfortunately,
funds for such an order has not been forthcoming, and Hr. Ms. Zuiderkruis will have to sail on indefinitely.
Vital Statistics
Crew: 266 transients Displacement: 16,900 tons full load
Dimensions:169.59 x 20.3 x 8.4 meters (556 x 66.5 x 27.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 Diesels; 2 Shafts; 21 knots top speed
Aviation: Can operate up to 5 Lynx Helicopters with ASW weapons
Armament:1 x 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS on operational deployments; Up to 5 x 20 mm CIWS
Cargo: 9,000 tons fuel, 400 tons aviation fuel, 200 tons water,
plus spares and munitions
