The Van Amstel Class consists of six former U.S. Navy frigates that originally served as destroyer escorts for the Bostwick and Cannon classes. In 1950, these ships were loaned to the Royal Netherlands Navy as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP). After more than a decade of service, they returned to the U.S. in 1967, where they were replaced by the more advanced Van Speijk class frigates.