Absalon-class frigate

The Absalon class is a pair of Royal Danish Navy ships, the Absalon and the Esbern Snare, which Odense Steel Shipyard built as flexible support ships and which are described as a hybrid between a frigate and a military transport. A multipurpose flex deck and a stern vehicle ramp let them carry a containerized command centre for a staff of 75, a company-sized landing force of some 200 soldiers, around 55 vehicles including up to seven main battle tanks, or a containerized hospital, and they can lay or clear mines. They were designed by a joint team of the navy, the Danish defence procurement organisation and Odense Maritime Technology. Wikipedia dates the class to 2005, while Naval Technology gives July 2004 for the Absalon and February 2005 for the Esbern Snare. The Iver Huitfeldt class reused their hull design.