The ships are powered by a diesel-electric system composed of two Caterpillar Acert diesel generators producing 1,166 kilowatts (1,564 hp).

[1][2] Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Fitting out) On 25 June 2002 construction officially started for both ships with a keel laying ceremony at the Galați shipyard on behalf of Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.

This marked the first occasion of a Dutch naval ship to be partly built in Romania.

[2] On 14 July 2021 it was announced that the mid-life update of Snellius was completed by Damen.

Luymes underwent the same maintenance and modernisation work a year earlier.