Editing Java-class cruiser (section)

=== Development ===
During the early 20th century, the primary purpose of the Royal Netherlands Navy was the protection of the oil-rich and economically vital Dutch East Indies. The largest threat was from the rapidly expanding [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Empire]] and its significantly larger and more powerful [[Imperial Japanese Navy|navy]]. Unable and unwilling to build a comparable force, the Netherlands focused on maintaining a small but high-quality fleet designed to delay any invasions until reinforcements from other European powers with similarly threatened colonies could arrive.{{sfn|Chesneau|1980|p=385}} In 1914, the Navy planned for a large expansion of its fleets, concerned about Japanese naval expansion and the need to maintain [[Netherlands in World War I|Dutch neutrality during World War I]]. One major aspect of the plan was the ''Java''-class cruiser, intended to outperform all comparable cruisers, especially those of Japan. The new Japanese [[Chikuma-class cruiser|''Chikuma''-class scout cruiser]]{{En dash}}with {{convert|5,000|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]], eight {{Convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns and a top speed of {{convert|26|kn|lk=in}}{{En dash}}was used as a template for what the new design needed to surpass.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=5,6,8}}

The first two cruisers were ordered in 1915. However, Dutch [[naval architecture]] firms lacked experience with such ships. Instead, contracts for their design were offered to British and German companies. The contract was given to [[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germaniawerft]] who emphasized German technical assistance and German-made guns, [[Steam turbine|turbines]], and other equipment.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=8}}