HNLMS Zeeleeuw (1987)
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_varende_aan_de_oppervlakte,_over_stuurboord_gezien_(2158_042289).jpg) 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 |
|
| Status | In active service |
| Badge | .svg) |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Walrus-class submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| 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 | |
| Test depth | 300 m (980 ft) |
| Complement | 55 |
| Armament | Mark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles |
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]
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
_op_de_lift_van_de_Rijkswerf_(2158_017266).jpg)
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]
