The "Politics and DV Engineering" working group analyses and comments on current political developments in the defence sector from a technological perspective. It provides facts on recent pieces and developments and interpretation from the technological knowledge and experience of engineers.
The working group has compiled the questions and comments below on the engine damage to Zr.Ms Karel Doorman. These comments have been presented to, among others, the members of the Permanent Committee on Defence of the House of Representatives to support the discussion of this topic.
As it now appears, the damage to the JSS's main electric motor is a design fault of this (French) engine (component of the General Electric propulsion system). This would mean that the second propulsion engine would also have to be taken out through the ship's hull. This is presumably, via Damen-Schelde shipyard, under warranty, but will possibly take more than eight months to repair. The ship will then be unavailable to the KM, with the possibility of deploying a second supply ship to the KM lacking. Indeed, due to budget cuts, the Amsterdam supply ship has been expedited for disposal. The guarantee most likely does not cover the operational (consequential) damage to the KM of the non-availability of this sole supply ship.
The following questions call for answers in this regard :
1a. Is there still sufficient knowledge at the KM and the DMO to guarantee appropriate knowledge support and quality assurance in the design, procurement and construction of this kind of complex and unique system by suppliers like Damen? Or have these capabilities and knowledge now been cut away?
1b. After cutbacks at the DMO, has Damen built up sufficient knowledge to fulfil its system responsibility?
2. There was a curtailment of capacity of the electrical power systems during the design of the JSS due to austerity considerations. Is this major defect in the ship the result of austerity in the acquisition of the propulsion system?
