HNLMS Zeeleeuw (1987)

HNLMS Zeeleeuw (S803) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1990 as the first submarine of the Walrus class, after the intended lead ship, HNLMS Walrus, was delayed for a long period following a serious fire during construction.[1] Zeeleeuw has been deployed both for naval exercises and in combat operations around the world. Furthermore, the submarine plays an important role by performing intelligence operations.[2] The submarine has undergone a mid-life maintenance and upgrade program between 2014 and 2016, and is currently in active service.[3]

For other ships with the same name, see HNLMS Zeeleeuw.
Zeeleeuw in 1990
History
Netherlands
NameZeeleeuw
NamesakeSea lion
BuilderRotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij
Yard number349
Laid down24 September 1981
Launched20 June 1987
Commissioned25 April 1990
IdentificationS803
Motto
  • Op prooi belust
  • Dutch: Eager for prey
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeWalrus-class submarine
Displacement
  • 2350 t surfaced,
  • 2650 t submerged,
  • 1,900 t standard
Length68 m (223 ft 1 in)
Beam8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Draught7.5 m (24 ft 7 in)
PropulsionDiesel-electric (3,132 kW)
Speed
  • 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) surfaced
  • 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged
Test depth300 m (980 ft)
Complement55
ArmamentMark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles

Activities
Zeeleeuw on scaffold in 1990 shortly after her commissioning in 1990.

Maintenance and upgrade

In 2014 HNLMS Zeeleeuw was taken out of service after years of service by the Royal Netherlands Navy to perform maintenance and modernize its systems.[5] During the upgrade program, the submarine was upgraded with modern systems.[6] The ageing GIPSY combat system was replaced with the more modern Guardion combat system. Besides changing the software suite, hardware components were either replaced or upgraded with newer versions.[7] The Medium Range Sonar (MRS) and Long Range Sonar (LRS) were replaced. A new sonar was added, the Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar (MOAS). The consoles and screens in the command room were upgraded to more modern versions, while the navigation and attack periscopes went from being depended on analog sensors to digital sensors. This was done by replacing several masts. Lastly, the Mark 48 torpedoes were upgraded from mod 4 to the more recent mod 7.[8]

See also

References
  1. Defensie, Ministerie van. "Zr. Ms. Zeeleeuw". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  2. Defensie, Ministerie van (2015-11-30). "Onderzeeboten". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  3. Defensie, Ministerie van. "IPW maakt Zeeleeuw beter dan ooit". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  4. Defensie, Ministerie van. "Onderzeeboot beëindigt antipiraterij-missie Ocean Shield". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  5. Karremann, Jaime. "Instandhoudingsprogramma Walrusklasse (IP-W)". www.marineschepen.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  6. "Imtech Marine gaat onderzeeërs moderniseren". www.binnenvaartkrant.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2018-06-22. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  7. Kesseler, André (13 May 2013). "Upgrade Nederlandse onderzeeboten van start" (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  8. Twigt, André (June 2016). "Kop van Instandhoudingsproject Walrusklasse is er af". Retrieved 25 November 2017.
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