The ''Wielingen'' class is a
class of four multi-functional
frigates built for the
Belgian Navy. The ships are named after
sandbanks in the
North Sea
The North Sea lies between Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. An epeiric sea on the European continental shelf, it connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the English Channel in the south and the Norwegian S ...
, not far from the Belgian coast, or sea routes. The
lead ship
The lead ship, name ship, or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable to naval ships and large civilian vessels.
Large ships are very complex and may ...
is named after the Wielingen sandbank.
History
The
Belgian government decided on 22 December 1970 to order four new frigates, which would be built by Belgian shipyards. These ships would replace the old escort ships of the . The last of these left service in 1969.
Project studies had already begun in 1964 with the advice of the
Dutch Navy
The Royal Netherlands Navy ( nl, Koninklijke Marine, links=no) is the naval force of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
During the 17th century, the navy of the Dutch Republic (1581–1795) was one of the most powerful naval forces in the world a ...
and continued in 1971 in cooperation with the two Belgian shipyards, Boelwerf, at
Temse
Temse (; french: Tamise ) is a municipality in East Flanders, Belgium.
The name Temse is derived from the Gallo-Roman/Gaul Tamisiacum or Tamasiacum. This is also reflected in the French name for the town, Tamise. The main sights include the Chu ...
, and
Cockerill, at
Hoboken, Antwerp. The construction of the ships began in 1974. The four ships, , , , and , were commissioned in the following years.
The fourth frigate, ''Westhinder'', was decommissioned in 1993 according to the reforms of
Defence Minister
A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in so ...
Leo Delcroix
Leo Delcroix (21 November 1949 – 2 November 2022) was a Belgian Flemish politician. He was a member of the Christian People's Party (CVP).
Biography Political career
Delcroix earned a degree in classical philology from the University of Antwe ...
. She had previously been damaged during an anti-submarine exercise off the coast of Norway. The third ship, ''Wandelaar'', followed in 2004 and was sold to the
Bulgarian Navy
The Bulgarian Navy ( bg, Военноморски сили на Република България, Voennomorski sili na Republika Balgariya, lit=Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria) is the navy of the Republic of Bulgaria and forms part of ...
the same year. ''Wielingen'' and ''Westdiep'' were sold to Bulgaria in 2008.
Ships
;
''Wielingen''
* Built: Boelwerf,
Temse
Temse (; french: Tamise ) is a municipality in East Flanders, Belgium.
The name Temse is derived from the Gallo-Roman/Gaul Tamisiacum or Tamasiacum. This is also reflected in the French name for the town, Tamise. The main sights include the Chu ...
* Launched: 30 March 1976
* Commissioned: 20 January 1978
* Decommissioned: 2006
* Fate: Sold to
Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Mac ...
in 2008, refurbished and commissioned as ''Verni'' (Верни – ''Faithful'') (42)
;
''Westdiep''
* Built:
Cockerill,
Hoboken, Antwerp
* Launched: 8 December 1975
* Commissioned: 20 January 1978
* Decommissioned: 5 October 2007
* Fate: Sold to Bulgaria in 2008, refurbished and commissioned as ''Gordi'' (Горди – ''Proud'') (43)
;
''Wandelaar''
* Built: Boelwerf, Temse
* Launched: 21 June 1977
* Commissioned: 3 October 1978
* Fate: Sold to Bulgaria in 2004, refurbished and commissioned as ''Drazki'' (Дръзки – ''Daring'') (41)
;
''Westhinder''
* Built: Cockerill, Hoboken, Antwerp
* Launched: 30 March 1976
* Commissioned: 20 January 1978
* Decommissioned: 1993
* Fate: Scrapped
See also
*
List of naval ship classes in service
The list of naval ship classes in service includes all combatant surface classes in service currently with navies or armed forces and auxiliaries in the world. Ships are grouped by type, and listed alphabetically within.
For other vessels, see ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wielingen Class Frigate
Wielingen
The ''Wielingen'' class is a class of four multi-functional frigates built for the Belgian Navy. The ships are named after sandbanks in the North Sea, not far from the Belgian coast, or sea routes. The lead ship is named after the Wielingen ...