Wielingen-class frigate

Belgian Naval Component, 1976-2008

Wielingen, Westdiep, Wandelaar, Westhinder F910-913.

The Wielingen class were the largest and most modern ships in service with the Belgian Navy in the Cold War. This was a class of four multi-functional frigates operated by the Belgian Naval Component from 1976 to 2008. In 2004, three were sold to Bulgaria and the fourth, Westhinder, ran aground in 1988, was decommissioned in 1993 and scrapped. Design-wise they was a clear influence from both Dutch and British designs. They carried a mix of US and French Armaments, and Dutch sensors. Today they are replaced by Karel Dorman class vessels for better integration between the Netherlands and belgian Navies.

Development

The Belgian government started studies on these ships in 1969. Uner NATO requirements, what was needed was a new type of escort meeting NATO requirements for escort missions in the North Sea and English Channel. To gain time, they were limited to weapon systems already in service or under development by other NATO navies. Given their area of operation there was a premium on seaworthiness, automation and watertight integrity. Apart the Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile, the main armament was French wheeras it was decided her radar and tactical data systems to be Dutch whereas the hull and machinery would be designed and built in Belgium, notably the diesels at Cockerill and the Gas Turbine in Britain. The Belgian government made Belgian shipbuilding participation mandatory at the time. One novel feature was the installation of an action information centre between decks and that their internals allowed to split the ship into two independent gas-tight citadels in case of NBC warfare. They were also entirely automated, with the machinery controlled from a central control station, so no specialists were needed in the rooms apart for maintenance and inspection.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Wielingen class displaced 1,880 tonnes (1,850 long tons) light but 2,283 t (2,247 long tons) fully loaded. They measured 103.0 metres (337 ft 11 in) long between perpendiculars, 106.4 m (349 ft 1 in) overall, for a beam of 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) and draught of 5.6 m (18 ft 4 in) By 2004, additions post-modernization brought them to 1,940 t (1,910 long tons) standard, and 2,430 t (2,390 long tons) fully loaded.

The outlook was typical of Dutch and british Frigates, with a semi-clipper bow, flush deck apart the lower deck at the stern aft, a low superstructure to preserve stability, a bridge and its navigational radar mounted at 1/3 length aft of the ASWRL, no open bridge, a thick foremast supporting the fire control radar WM25 and main communication antenna, a large single funnel with infrared-reducing exhausts, a rear mast with the combined air and surface surveillance radar DA05. The hull, which had fine lines and broad aft section ending with a rounded transom stern, was fitted with classic counter-keels aft and two starboard and port active stabilizers.

The gun was forward, as was the ASW rocket launcher, two Exocet SSM canister aft, and the Sea Sparrow SAM located just before the lower deck. The torpedo tubes were in the hull port and starboard aft. Complement is 160, including 15 officers, but that changed in Bulgarian service. No boat was provided, they only had two ribs aft and standard NATO inflatable rescue boats. Overall this was a multitask frigate cleverly designed with costs kept to a minimum. The design was however never exported, but Bulgaria became clearly interested by their capabilities and cost close to decommission.

Powerplant

The ships are propelled by two-shaft, driven by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) powerplant. The latter combined a single Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbine rated for 21,000 kilowatts (28,000 shp) for a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), or two Cockerill CO 240 V12 diesels rated for 4,500 kW (6,000 bhp). When the diesels were combined, top speed reaches 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) or 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) with just one diesel. They turned controllable pitch propellers for extra agility at all regimes. These Frigates carried enough fuel oil and turbine oil, 280 tonnes, for a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) or 6,000 nm at 16 knots depending on the sources. When cold at anchor, all systems could be powered by four 500 kW diesel alternators.

Armament

The Wielingen armaments was directed for all aspects of naval warfare, anti-sip with the main gun and four launchers for MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, anti-air defence shared between the main gun and Mark 29 octuple launcher for eight RIM-7M Sea Sparrow SAMs (at moderate range). The latter were later upgraded to the RIM-7P model in their career. ASW was performed by a six-barrelled Creusot-Loire 375 mm (14.8 in) anti-submarine warfare rocket launcher located forward with Bofors rockets, plus two catapult (not tubes) for French L5 torpedoes for closer range ASW warfare. Their weakness was the absence of longer range anti-air capabilities (albeit the sea sparrow and main gun can intercept missiles), or conversely short range (CIWS) and for ASW, the lack of an helicopter was sorely lacking for all their career. Only by working in larger NATO combat groups this was less an issue.

100-millimetre (3.9 in)/55 M68 naval gun

The classic, well-known beast of burden French main gun, present on all marine Nationale vessels from cruisers down to avisos. The type gradually evolved in four marks with increased automation and rate of fire as well as accuracy ober decades in the cold war. It was the third generation here.
Specs:
Mass: 22 tonnes (49,000 lb), 55 calibres 5,500 mm (220 in).
Crew: 2. Shell: 100x700mmR CrT 23.6 kilograms (52 lb), tip 13.5 kilograms (30 lb).
Elevation: 29°/s, traverse 40°/s range 6,000 m aerial/12,000 m surface practical.
Rate of fire: 78 round/min at 870 m/s (2,900 ft/s).

RIM-7M Sea Sparrow

A classic also fitted on number of NATO Frigates, medium to short range SAM. Located on the aft deck, it was a classic, not reloadable two arms for canister launch, capable of elevation and full traverse.
Mass: 510 lb (230 kg), 12 ft (3.7 m) x 8 in (20 cm), wingspan 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m)
Warhead: Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 90 lb (41 kg), proximity fuzed, expanding rod 27 ft (8.2 m) kill radius
Engine: Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor 4,256 km/h (2,645 mph) over 10 nmi (19 km).
Guidance: Semi-active radar homing.

MM38 Exocet SSM

Another classic SSM, in 1976 the Falklands War stil had not showed its effectiveness. The four canisters were located by pair angled forward aft, port and starboard.
The models were provided by Aérospatiale at the time, as designed 1970-74 and bult from 1979 to 1999.
Mass: 780 kg (1,720 lb), 6 m (19 ft 8 in) x 34.8 cm (1 ft 1.7 in) x wingspan 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in)
Warhead: 165 kg (364 lb)
Engine: Solid propellant engine, Mach 0.93 and 40 km (25 mi; 22 nmi), 1,148 km/h (713 mph; 620 kn) max.
Guidance: Inertial and active radar homing, then GPS guidance.

Creusot-Loire 375 mm ASWRL

Installed on French Destroyers and initially designed with Bofors (Swedish system) still firing Bofors dephr charge tipped rockets, as a great improvements over the classic hedgehog. Still range was limited compared to ASROC. The system can fire at a range indeed of 3,625 m (11,893 ft), High explosive warheads wit acoustic Proximity Fuse propelled by a rocket with Solid fuel. This was relatively similar to other systems like the Squid.

ECAN L5 TTs

In some sources the ECAN Type L5 are described as torpedo tubes but they are rather compressed air catapults with less force than standard tubes. One tube over the waterline in the hull after port and starboard; They fires up to 10 torpedoes in store. The L5 is a French 533 mm, 4,40 m 935 kg electric ASW model with a range of only 7 km at 35 knots but capable of 500 m underwater.
The Mod 4 was first deployed in 1976 and thus was brand new when adopted by the Belgians, and the mod 4 was tailored specific to their needs.

Sensors

-Sagem Vigy 105 optronic director for the fire control
-Signaal DA-05 air/surface search radar
-WM-25 surface search radar
-SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar
-SEWACO IV tactical data system with Link 11 capability.
Note: To be updated in latter years.

Protection

Oustide a better protected CO at the center of the ship and NBC protection a bit more extensive than usual, for close active protection if all failed, they had the following:
-Two eight-barrelled Corvus chaff launchers.
-Argos AR 900 intercept electronic support measures
-SLQ-25 Dixie torpedo decoy system.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	2,283 t (2,247 long tons) at full load
Dimensions	106.4 x 12.3 x 5.6 m (349 ft 1 in x 40 ft 4 in x 18 ft 4 in)
Propulsion	CODOG, 2x Cockerill CO 240 V12 diesels 6,000 bhp, 1 Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B GT 28,000 shp
Speed	28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range	4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Armament	1x 100 mm, 1×8 RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, 4x MM38 Exocet, 1x 375 mm DCR, 2 ECAN Type L5 TTs
Sensors	1 DA-05 SR, 1 WM-25 TR, 2x EOMS IR/Video T.cameras, AN/SQS-510 sonar
Crew	160

Career of the Wielingen Class

The construction programme for four Frigates was approved on 23 June 1971.
The order was placed with two Belgian shipyards, in October 1973. Construction started the next year.
Wielingen and Westdiep, were first delivered in December 1976. But after completion and engine trials, they had both engine overhaul until 1977. They entered serice in 1978, followed by Wandelaar and Westhinder and all based at Zeebrugge. Westhinder was damaged during in an ASW exercise off the coast of Norway by September 1988, grounded on rock. After examination damage was so extensive she was decommissioned on 1 July 1993 and cannibalized for the other frigates. The hulk was scrapped in Ghent from November 2000. Two frigates were kept operational, alternating in reserve/refit. The third, Wandelaar, was decommissioned in 2004, sold to the Bulgarian Navy. Wielingen and Westdiep followed suit in 2007 sold to Bulgaria in 2008.

Wielingen (F910)

Wielingen (F910) was laid down at Boelwerf, Temse on 5 March 1974, launched on 30 March 1976 and commissioned on 20 January 1978. When launched at the Boelwerf in Temse, and christened by Queen Fabiola of Belgium. The patronage was accepted by the city of Malmedy. Wielingen was the first ship in her class, with the pennant number F910. During Operation Southern Breeze, she relieved Wandelaar in the Indian Ocean on March 19, 1991. She rescued 25 shipwrecked victims during two rescue operations.
For Operation Southern Breeze II Wielingen departed Zeebrugge on September 5, 1995, with 162 crew members including eight women for the first time in the Belgian Navy. The ship entered operational control of the United States Task Force. She was in an operation area between the 29th parallel and Iraqi – Iranian territorial waters. She was back to Zeebrugge, mission accomplished, on January 27, 1996.
No longs for subsequent years. To be updated.
She was placed in decommission on 20 novembre 2006. sold to the Bulgarian Navy in 2009. After an overhaul, she left Zeebrugge Naval Base by February 2009 under the Bulgarian flag and with the crew from Varna. She was renamed “Verni” under the new pennant number 42. She is still active today.

Westdiep (F911)

Westdiep (F911) was laid down at Cockerill, Hoboken in Antwerp on 2 September 1974, launched on 8 December 1975 and commissioned on 20 January 1978. When launched at the Cockerill Yards in Hoboken, she was christened by Princess Astrid of Belgium on 20 January 1978. The patronage of Westdiep was accepted by the city of Sint-Niklaas. She was the second ship in class, with the pennant number F911. Operation Sharp Fence: In 1993, Westdiep joined the WEU flotilla tasked with enforcing UN resolutions in the Adriatic Sea, as part of the UN embargo against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. She left Zeebrugge on January 6, 1993, returned on April 2. She stopped 507 merchant vessels, boarded 42 for inspection, diverting seven to an Italian port for further inspection. When she left, she had the highest number of ships inspected in the WEU flotilla.

Operation Southern Breeze III: On February 18, 1998, she was sent to the Persian Gulf as part of international operations after the Iraqi crisis. She conducted training with the French Navy at Brest before departing, making a stop there on February 19 for brief maintenance. She ecorted two convoys from Zeebrugge, each with trucks carrying ammunition, equipment, and technical personnel to Brest on February 19, before departing for the Persian Gulf.
On February 23, an agreement was signed between Iraq and the UN and she was instead kept to the Eastern Mediterranean for pre-emptive training, in preparation for a final decision.
From February 28 to March 4, she stayed ay Alexandria, resupplied with 17 crew members relieved by two Air Force C-130s, 9 disembarked personnel returned. The crew was 160 including nine women. On March 4 she entered the French Battle Group around Charles de Gaulle, and trained off the coast of Sicily. On March 8, sje accompanied them back to Brest.

In March 13-16, she was back in Souda Bay, Crete and the next day, the Ionian Sea several exercises, including life fire with ASWRL. She stopped at Kerkyra (Corfu) on the 20-23th and trained with the Italian Navy off Augusta, Sicily, marred by severe storms. On 27-30, she was in Palermo, crossing the Strait of Messina for Haifa, but on April 2, the government recalled her, while she carried out a supply mission with USS Merrimack south of Crete. She headed fro Zeebrugge, arrived on April 10.
On 5 October 2007 Westdiep, she became the last commissioned frigate of the Belgian Navy ever (the replacements were built in the Netherlands) and last withdrawn from service.
She was sold to the Bulgarian Navy together with Wielingen, joining Wandelaar, already sold to Bulgaria. She entered service as the “Gordi” new pennant number 43. She is still active.

Wandelaar (F912)

Wandelaar (F912) was laid down at Boelwerf, Temse on 28 March 1975, launched on 21 June 1977 and commissioned on 3 October 1978. She was named after the Wandelaar sand bank off the coast of Belgium, near Zeebrugge, third in class. She was commissioned with the pennant number F912 and like her sisters based at Zeebrugge.
During Operation Southern Brezze, she was in mission to monitor the Iraq embargo in the Indian Ocean, from October 17, 1990, to January 14, 1991.
Operation Sharp Guard: She participated in this operation from September 10, 1994, to November 18, 1994, as part of NATO’s Standing Naval Force, Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED). She inspected no less than 350 merchant vessels (interrogated), board 45, diverted 19 to an Italian port for in-depth inspection.
No more logs.

In 2004 she was already considered for decommission. Meanwhile Bulgaria was looking for options to replace older Soviet-era vessels to fulfill NATO obligations. In May 2004 the Bulgarian government agreed to purchase new ships and after a review of possible candidates and new constructions, on 4 December 2004, a letter of intent was signed by the government. Wandelaar was acquired. Approval was only signed on 17 March 2005. Wandelaar was transferred to Bulgaria in October 2005. She was renamed Drazki, pennant number 41, and underwent refurbishment before commission. In 2011, Drazki took part in NATO operations against Libya and several naval exercises with Turkey. She is still active today.

Westhinder (F913) was laid down at Cockerill, Hoboken in Antwerp on 8 December 1975. She was launched on 30 March 1976, christened by Queen Fabiola of Belgium, and commissioned on 20 January 1978. The patronage of the Westhinder was accepted by the city of Malmedy. Westhinder was the last ship in the Wielingen-class, and had pennant number F913.
She was famously badly damaged after hitting a reef while in exercises in Norway in 1988. The damage was considerable but she was eventually repaired and retuned into service, also this had consequences. She took part indeed to Operation Sharp Vigilance: On 21 September 1992, Westhinder joined the WEU flotilla enforcing UN resolutions in the Adriatic and arms embargo imposed against Yugoslavia, until 14 January 1993 and back to Zeebrugge on the 22nd. She called 596 merchant ships, boarded for inspection 17. Her crew at the time comprised 160 sailors, including 4 damars (DAmes de la MARrine) (women), a first in Belgian naval history.
No more records. He service was abbreviated. Indeed after she came back she was placed in reserve. She was not sold to Bulgaria given her state and instead was used as spare parts reserve for her sister until stricke and sold for BU in 2003, the first to go.