The Netherlands has begun decommissioning Walrus-class multipurpose submarines armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles

The Netherlands has launched a process to decommission the Walrus-class multipurpose diesel-electric submarines. A decision on successors will be made in 2024.

Here's What We Know

The first to be retired is the Walrus submarine with the number S 802. It was commissioned more than 30 years ago. The diesel-electric submarine has 533mm torpedo tubes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The submarine, which has been in service for 31 years, will be dismantled for parts. Her parts will be used to maintain the other three vessels that remain in the Royal Navy for the time being.

When Walrus is decommissioned, the Royal Netherlands Navy will have three submarines of the same name: Zeeleeuw, Dolfijn and Bruinvis. The second vessel will be retired in the coming years, but no date has yet been chosen.

Naval Group, Saab Kockums and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems want to build four new submarines for the Netherlands. The cost could be between $2.6bn and $4.8bn, with a preliminary decision to be made next year.

The fleet renewal has been continuously delayed. The Netherlands originally planned to commission the first submarine in 2028. It is now expected that the two submarines will not be ready for commissioning until the middle of the next decade.

For this reason, the Netherlands has had to invest in extending the service life of the Walrus-class submarines. They were originally designed for 25 years of service.

Source: Defence News