The vessel was built in the Romanian shipyards, in Galati, by the Dutch firm Damen Group.[4] The keel laying took place on 26 November 2009 and the launching on 4 November 2010. The ship was put into service on 22 January 2013.
On 26 April 2012, Friesland assisted in the rescue of a sail training vessel off Iona while participating in an international exercise.[5]
On 20 September 2018 Friesland intercepted a go-fast with its NH90 NFH. The cargohold of the go-fast contained 900 kg of cocaine. The passengers of the boat were delivered to the United States Coast Guard.[8] That same year Friesland also visited Havana.[9]
In September 2023 it was reported that Friesland had become the first vessel to utilize the high-capacity shore power supply at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, after docking at the yard for maintenance.[10]
^ ab
Alfonso Chardy (2015-12-20). "Details of cocaine bust near Dominican coast revealed". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 2015-12-21. The surveillance aircraft followed the go-fast until it reached a point south of the Dominican Republic. At some point, according to the complaint, HNLMS Friesland personnel launched a small vessel with U.S. Coast Guard crew members to interdict and board the go-fast.