Fact sheet: ABSALON Class Combat Support Ship Background In September 2013 Denmark will deploy the combat support ship HDMS ESBEN SNARE as part of NATO’s counter piracy operation OCEAN SHIELD. It is the seventh time since 2008 that the Royal Danish Navy deploys task elements around the Horn of Africa to com- bat piracy. In addition to HDMS ESBERN SNARE, her sister ship HDMS ABSALON, the ocean patrol vessel HDMS THETIS and the frigate HDMS IVER HUITFELDT have all been deployed. Moreover, the Royal Danish Air Force has contributed to the operation with a Challenger surveillance aircraft. Finally, Danish flag officers and staffs have been in command of international maritime forces operating off the Horn of Africa on several occa- sions. Tasks The ABSALON Class was launched and delivered in 2004 - 2005 by Odense Steel Ship- yard. HDMS ABSALON became fully operational in 2007 and HDMS ESBERN SNARE the following year. The ships are configured as flexible combat ships able to deploy globally and conduct a wide range of military tasks. Among the tasks undertaken by the ABSALON Class are: • maintaining sovereignty and law enforcement at sea • transport • humanitarian operations, including disaster relief operations • evacuation operations • maritime embargo operations • intelligence gathering • flagship for task group commander and staff • maritime security operations to protect maritime infrastructure and to combat piracy • support to land-based operations • platform for the insertion of special forces • maritime combat operations Photography: Soeren Dreijer Technical data Length: 137,60 m Beam: 19,50 m Draught: 6,30 m Full load displacement: 6.639 t Max. speed: 25 kn. Flexible deck: 900 m2 Photography: Michael Koelving Photography: Michael Koelving Propulsion Two shafts are driving controllable pitch propellers powered by two diesel engines, each rated at 8.200 kW. The ships are equipped with twin rudders, and a bow thruster has been built into the stern. For the production of power the ships depend on four auxiliary engines, each rated at 920 kW. Weapons The ABSALON Class is equipped with a variety of modern weapons systems comprising: 1 United Defense 127mm 62 mk45 mod 4 gun 2 35 mm Oerlikon Millennium Close In Weapon Systems (CIWS) A number of smaller weapons, including 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns and small arms 16 Harpoon Block II surface-to-surface missiles 32 Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles 2 twin torpedo launchers for MU-90 anti-submarine torpedoes Photography: Henrik Wallstroem Photography: ESBERN SNARE Sensors and communications systems The ABSALON-class has been fitted with modern sensors, including long-range, three- dimensional, anti-air early warning radars, passive detection systems, infrared cameras and sonar systems. In addition, the ships have been equipped with extensive communica- tions suites, including satellite communications systems. This makes them well suited for use as flagship for a sea-based staff during NATO and coalition operations. Operational logistics and endurance The ABSALON-class vessels have good mission endurance. They are capable of receiv- ing fuel at sea and stowage capacity significantly reduces the need to re-supply in port. In addition, the vessels are also able to produce fresh water. Helicopter The ABSALON Class vessels can carry two medium-sized maritime helicopters. Usually one LYNX Mk. 90B helicopter from the Royal Danish Air Force 723 Squadron is em- barked. The helicopter is used in a wide range of operations such as surveillance and long-range warnings, insertion of boarding teams, protection against surface threats and search-and-rescue. The helicopter is fitted with modern sensors as well as a 12.7 mm ma- chine gun. Photography: Guy Toremans Insertion craft 2 ZODIAC SR 700 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) Insertion craft from the Danish Special Forces Squadron. Photography: Admiral Danish Fleet HQ Crew The crew size during deployment to Operation OCEAN SHIELD will be around 155. The permanent crew will be supplemented by a number of specialists from the Royal Danish Army, the Royal Danish Air Force, the Navy’s corps of Frogmen, and the naval Military Police. Hospital The vessels have been fitted with hospitals manned by a surgeon, nurse anesthetists and a medically trained deck hand. In total four intensive care beds are available. Photography: ABSALON Photography: ABSALON .