HNLMS Zeeleeuw (1987)

For other ships with the same name, see HNLMS Zeeleeuw.

HNLMS Zeeleeuw (S803) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[5] The submarine has undergone a mid-life maintenance and upgrade program between 2014 and 2016, and is currently in active service.^[6]

Zeeleeuw in 1990
History
Netherlands
Name	Zeeleeuw
Namesake	Sea lion
Builder	Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij
Yard number	349[1]
Laid down	24 September 1981
Launched	20 June 1987[2]
Commissioned	25 April 1990
Identification	S803
Motto	Op prooi belust Dutch: Eager for prey
Status	In active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class & type	Walrus-class submarine
Displacement	2350 t surfaced, 2650 t submerged, 1,900 t standard
Length	68 m (223 ft 1 in)
Beam	8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Draught	7.5 m (24 ft 7 in)
Propulsion	Diesel-electric (3,132 kW)
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) surfaced 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged
Test depth	300 m (980 ft)
Complement	55
Armament	Mark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles

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.^[7] During the upgrade program, the submarine was upgraded with modern systems.^[8] 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.^[9] The Medium Range Sonar (MRS) and Long Range Sonar (LRS) were replaced. A new sonar was added, the Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar (MOAS).^[10] 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.^[11] This was done by replacing several masts. Lastly, the Mark 48 torpedoes were upgraded from mod 4 to the more recent mod 7.^[12] On 3 December 2015 the Zeeleeuw completed its maintenance and upgrade program and was put back in the water.^[13] That same month the Zeeleeuw also performed her first deep dive.^[14]

Service history

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

On 28 October 1988 at 10 AM the Zeeleeuw began with her sea trials.^[15]

In 2010 HNLMS Zeeleeuw took part in Operation Ocean Shield.^[16]

In 2017 the Zeeleeuw took part in a torpedo firing exercise in the Bahamas.^[17] That same year the boat also took part in an exercise in the Caribbean Sea near Curaçao.^[18]

In June 2022 Zeeleeuw visited Scheveningen and stayed in port for a few days.^[19][20] During her stay in Scheveningen the submarine was open to pupils.^[21][22]

See also

• Ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy