- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- other
- no/negative
TL;DR: A Belgian Frigate with mostly Franco-USA-Dutch equipment (100 mm gun, Exocet, Seasparrow and torpedoes)
F912 BNS Wandelaar, one of the four Wielingen-class in the Belgian Navy.
History
History
The Wielingen-class consisted of relatively small frigates, made possible in part by the absence of a hangar and a helicopter deck. However, the ships were well-armed. They were equipped with Exocet cruise missiles and a 100mm cannon. For air defense, the ships carried NATO Sea Sparrow missiles, and for anti-submarine warfare, the Wielingen-class frigates were equipped with depth charge mortars.
Contruction
The Wielingen-class frigates were Belgium’s first large warships built after World War II. They were designed to replace the six aging “Algerine” escorts from the WWII era, which were approaching the end of their operational lifespan. Preliminary studies began in 1964 with the goal of creating a warship capable of protecting merchant vessels from submarines and aircraft in the “southwestern approaches” near Flushing. Four Wielingen frigates were planned, with construction set to begin in April 1974 under the technical guidance of the Royal Netherlands Navy, at the Boel and Cockerill shipyards. The flagship, Wielingen, was launched on March 30th, 1976, and christened by Queen Fabiola of Belgium in a public ceremony on January 20th , 1976, at the Cockerill shipyards.
Crest of the WandelaarCrew
There are 159 crew members: The Commanding Officer, the Executive Officer, 12 Officers, 74 Non-Commissioned Officers, 53 Volunteers, and 18 Conscripts (mandatory military service was applicable at the time).
They were divided into 3 departments:
Department “Internal Service”: deck, diving, administration, supply, and medical services.
Department “Technical”: mechanics, electricity, and electronics.
Department “Operations”: communications, radar, sonar, and artillery.Early Service and Key Operations
Upon entering service in 1978, the Wandelaar became an integral part of the Belgian Navy, operating primarily in anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface combat roles. The ship was deployed in various international operations, contributing to both Belgian and NATO efforts.
One of the Wandelaar’s most significant missions occurred during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. From August 1990 to August 1991, the ship participated in Operation Southern Breeze, aimed at enforcing the UN embargo against Iraq. During this operation, the Wandelaar inspected merchant vessels in the Mediterranean to ensure compliance with international sanctions. In addition to this role, the ship performed various humanitarian and rescue tasks, most notably rescuing 25 crew members from the Turkish tanker Ergeli, which had collided with another vessel in the Mediterranean.
The Wandelaar also participated in Operation Sharp Guard (1993), which sought to enforce the UN embargo during the Yugoslav Wars. The frigate operated in the Adriatic Sea, inspecting vessels suspected of violating the sanctions, further cementing its role in peacekeeping and international security efforts.
Decommissioning and Transfer to Bulgaria
After serving the Belgian Navy for over two decades, the Wandelaar was decommissioned in 2004 as part of Belgium’s fleet modernization program. In 2005, the ship was sold to the Bulgarian Navy, where it was renamed Drazki and assigned pennant number 41. It continued to serve in the Bulgarian fleet for several more years, contributing to Bulgaria’s naval modernization. The Wielingen-class was replaced in 2007 by two Dutch-made M-class Karel-Doorman frigates.
Conclusion
The BNS Wandelaar had a distinguished service history, marked by its participation in major international operations like the Gulf War and its role in enforcing UN sanctions during the Yugoslav Wars. After more than 25 years of service, the ship was transferred to the Bulgarian Navy, where it continued to serve. The Wandelaar’s motto, “Vigilanter Ambulet”, embodied its vigilant and steadfast service on the open sea, a fitting tribute to the vessel’s legacy of duty and operational excellence.
Specifications
Dimensions: Lenght/Beam/Draught: 106,4 m / 12,3 m / 5,6 m
Displacement: 2247 tons
Propulsion: CODOG-propulsion,
2 x Cockerill CO 240 V12 diesel engines, 4,500 kW (6,000 bhp)
1 x Rolls-Royce Olympus TM3B gas turbine, 21,000 kW (28,000 shp)
Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)Crew: 159
Armament Gun 1 x 1 100mm Mle 68 Creusot-Loire dual purpose gun Point-defence 5 x 1 12.7mm M2 Browning machine guns SAM 1 x 8 200 mm RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface to air missile launcher ASM 2 x 2 348 mm MM38 Exocet surface to surface missile launchers Depth Charges 1 x 6 375 mm Creusot-Loire depth charge launcher Torpedoes 2 x 10 533 mm ECAN Type L5 torpedoes EW/DLS DR-2000 intercept - 2Mk 36 SRBOC chaff (VI x 2)
Sensors Surveillance radar Hollandse Signaal Apparaten DA-05 (E/F band) Targeting radar Hollandse Signaal Apparaten WM-25 IR/Optical targeting Yes, 2 x 1 EOMS IR/Video optical targeting cameras Sonar AN/SQS-510 Navigation radar Kelvin Hughes type 1007/SCOUT1
Place in War Thunder
The Wandelaar would a a fully-unique Belgian Frigate representing the Belgian navy at almost top-tier Coastal. In the current state of Coastal fleet it would most likely be a rank 6 ship with one good gun and very decent long-range torpedoes.
Regarding nations
BeNeLux
As the BeNeLux subtree for France has now been confirmed, France has the highest chance of recieving Belgian equipment. However an independent BeNeLux would also be very possible. For further info please go to: BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) Coastal Fleet.
Pictures and Diagrams
Sources
Sources
- Belgian Navy. (Jan 2025). Wielingen. Wielingen
- Sergio Echeverría García - Eugenio’s Warships - F910, CC BY-SA 3.0, File:Wielingen (F910) 2003.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Wielingen class Frigate Belgian Navy Armed Forces. (n.d.). Wielingen class Frigate Belgian Navy Armed Forces- DPG Media Privacy Gate. (n.d.). DPG Media Privacy Gate
- Karremann, J. (01 november 2016). Wielingenklasse fregatten. Wielingenklasse fregatten
- Van Ginderen, Leo & Delgoffe, Chris.Fotoboek Belgische Zeemacht. Vlaamse Maritieme Ruilvereniging. Antwerpen. 1996
- Miskowicz, R., & Braun, K. (n.d.). AN/SQS-510 ACTIVE SONAR SYSTEM. TRID. AN/SQS-510 ACTIVE SONAR SYSTEM - TRID