Name Walrus class Preceded by Zwaardvis class Completed 4 | Operators Royal Netherlands Navy In commission 1992- | |
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Builders Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij | ||
The Walrus-class submarine is the only submarine class currently in operation in the Royal Netherlands Navy. They have been in service since 1990 and are all named after sea mammals.
Contents
Design
The Walrus-class submarines are unusual in that instead of a cross-shaped assembly of stern diving planes and rudders, they mount four combined rudders and diving planes in an "X" configuration. This tail configuration was first tested in 1960 on the United States Navy's USS Albacore, and has since been used by the Walrus class, all Swedish Navy submarines since the Sjöormen class, the Royal Australian Navy's Collins class, the German Type 212A and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Sōryū class.
Operational History
After the Cold War, the subs have been tasked for many highly confidential intelligence gathering operations (still classified) in the Yugoslavian region, Iran, Iraq and the Caribbean often on request of Allies, including the United States.
In June 2010, the Netherlands agreed to deploy one submarine to help combat piracy in the waters off Somalia.
In November 2016, the Russian Navy claimed to have chased off a Walrus-class vessel from a battle group that included the Admiral Kuznetsov.
Upgrade program
In 2007, the Dutch cabinet approved an upgrade of the four operational vessels and recruitment of additional crew to improve overall operational availability. The upgrades were focused on near-shore operations and integration with new weapons,and include:
In November 2014 the Dutch Minister of Defence announced plans to replace the Walrus-class submarines in 2025.
Ships in class
All boats were built by the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij.