Dolfijn in 1996
| |
History | |
---|---|
Netherlands | |
Name | Dolfijn |
Namesake | Dolphin |
Operator | Royal Netherlands Navy |
Builder | Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij |
Yard number | 352 |
Laid down | 12 June 1986 |
Launched | 25 April 1990 |
Commissioned | 29 June 1993 |
Identification | S808 |
Motto |
|
Status | In active service as of November 2023 |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and 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 | 60 |
Armament | Mark 48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles |
HNLMS Dolfijn (S808) is a Walrus-class submarine of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She entered service in 1993 as the third submarine of the Walrus class, after HNLMS Walrus and HNLMS Zeeleeuw. [1] Dolfijn 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]
HNLMS Dolfijn has taken part in several operations, a few examples are:
In 2016, Dolfijn was taken out of service after being active for years by the Royal Netherlands Navy to perform maintenance and modernize its systems. [7] For example, the ageing GIPSY combat system will be replaced with the more modern Guardion combat system. [8] Besides changing the software suit, hardware components were also either replaced or upgraded with newer versions. [9] The Medium Range Sonar (MRS) and Long Range Sonar (LRS) will get replaced by new ones. In addition a new sonar was added, which is called the Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar (MOAS). The Consoles and screens in the command room also will get an upgrade to more modern versions, while the navigation and attack periscopes will go from being depended on analog sensors to digital sensors. This will be done by replacing several masts. The holes have already been drilled for this upgrade. Lastly, the Mark 48 torpedoes were upgraded from Mod 4 to the more recent Mod 7. [7]
On 30 March 2020, the Ministry of Defence reported that eight crew members of Dolfijn had tested positive. [10] Out of 58 crew members, 15 sailors with mild symptoms were tested. [10] The submarine changed course near Scotland to return to the Netherlands two weeks early, arriving in Den Helder on 3 April. [10] [11]
Dolfijn made a routine port visit to the United States at Naval Station Mayport, Florida in May 2022. [12]