The Friesland Class destroyers were built for the Royal Netherlands Navy in the 1950s. They were a larger modified version of the Holland class destroyer with more powerful machinery. Eight ships were built. They were replaced by the Kortenaer class frigates in the early 1980s and seven ships were sold to the Peruvian Navy where they served until 1991. The main armament was supplied by Bofors.
The machinery was identical to that used in the American Gearing class destroyers and manufactured under licence by Werkspoor. The radar was manufactured by Hollandse Signalaparaten

Ships

In contrast to previous Dutch Navy practice the ships were named after provinces or cities rather than Admirals.