The Walrus submarine is on its way to the scrapyard. Tugboats are escorting a floating pontoon carrying the submarine from Den Helder. According to the current schedule, it is due to arrive in Amsterdam this week.
After more than thirty years of service, the submarine will be dismantled, scrapped and recycled. Some of the material will be melted down.
The Walrus was officially decommissioned around three years ago, having already been laid up before then. Since its decommissioning, it has no longer been entitled to the prefix HNLMS (Zr.Ms. in Dutch) before its name. All usable equipment and components have also been removed to keep the Navy’s other submarines operational.
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Walrus entered service in 1992
The Royal Netherlands Navy has made full use of the Walrus, the lead vessel of its class. The submarine entered service in 1992. Built in Rotterdam, the vessels of the class could carry substantial quantities of supplies and fuel, enabling them to operate for long periods far from home.
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Replacement
French shipbuilder Naval Group is building the new submarines that will replace the Walrus class. The new Orka class will feature the latest systems and technologies. The first submarine is expected to be delivered in 2033, with the final vessel scheduled for 2037.
Picture: Submarine Walrus being transported on a pontoon (photo Dutch Ministry of Defence).
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