[2] It was planned to order 12 anti-submarine variants (the Kortenaer class), enough to equip two task groups (each led by a Tromp-class guided-missile frigate) to operate in the Atlantic, while a single anti-aircraft version would act as flagship for a third task group, consisting of the older Van Speijk-class frigates to operate in the English Channel and North Sea.

This was supplemented by an eight round Mk 29 NATO Sea Sparrow short range SAM launcher forward, with 24 missiles carried.

A Goalkeeper close-in weapon system was mounted aft, while the forward-mounted OTO Melara 76 mm gun of the Kortenaers was omitted.

Launchers for eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles were positioned amidships, while anti-submarine armament consisted of four tubes for Mark 46 torpedoes.

The ships were named after Admirals (Jacob van Heemskerk and Witte Corneliszoon de With) as is usual practice in the Royal Netherlands Navy.