The turbines developed a total of 40,000 shaft horsepower (30,000 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).

The ships carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[2] The main armament of the N-class ships were six 4.7-inch (120 mm) Mark XII guns in three twin-gun mounts, two superfiring in front of the bridge and one aft of the superstructure.

The rear torpedo tube mount was replaced by a single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun.

[2] Van Galen was built as the British destroyer HMS Noble (G84), but was commissioned into the Royal Netherlands Navy shortly after completion.