get as many ships in the water as possible and as cheap as possible. So the idea behind the Kortenaer Class was a building-block massed produced design that each nation could build and tailor to their individual needs. Thornycroft did the engines from the Amazon Class that everyone loved so much. French Thompson SONAR was picked as well. Habitability came from Germany with A/C and heat facilities and high efficient batteries, etc.

Weapons would be an individual thing. Those oweing favors to the USA purchased Sea Sparrow. Those wanting to actually shoot something down could use Italian Aspide or German Skyflash missiles. Pretty much everyone - having no marines - felt that a 3 inch Dutch Oto-Melara gun was sufficient. The Spanish and Germans took American Harpoons while the Dutch and others used Exocet and or Sea Eagle.

The builder's intention was that the design could be modified on the fly to provide a larger ship. No one needed it as the Cold War ended. Last-ditch defense was provided by either American Phalaynx, Dutch Goalkeeper or Spanish Meroka. Lately, all have gone to American RAM.

Cheers,


Don