HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck was the second and last of the Tromp-class light cruisers of the Royal Netherlands Navy, named after Admiral Jacob van Heemskerk (1567–1607).

The Tromp class was a class of ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The hull shape was also known as the Argonaut 600. They were designed as "flotilla leaders" and their intended role was to be the backbone of a squadron of modern destroyers that was planned at the same time. The ships were ordered in 1935; Tromp was launched in 1937, and her sister ship Jacob van Heemskerck in 1939. Often referred to as 'light cruisers', they were significantly smaller and less capable than most light cruisers of the era.