The Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Holland-class patrol ship, Friesland, has completed its sea trials in the Black Sea.

The vessel is being built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, Netherlands, and will now undergo final fitting before it is delivered to the navy in February 2012.

The new patrol ship has been designed for international law enforcement and security missions that include combating piracy and counter-drugs operations.

The 108m-long, 3,750t Holland-class vessel offers landing facilities for a NH-90 helicopter and features a 76mm Oto-Melara gun, a rapid-fire 30mm gun and two 12.7mm Hitrole machine guns. It is also equipped with the Thales integrated mast module.

The navy has already received two Holland-class vessels, the HrMs Holland and Zeeland, this year while the fourth vessel, Groningen, is currently under construction.