HNLMS Dolfijn, a Walrus-class attack submarine from the Royal Netherlands Navy, has concluded a successful deployment in the North Atlantic under the command of NATO Submarines.
Over nearly a month, the submarine navigated through the Norwegian Sea and North Sea, contributing to the defence and deterrence of the Euro-Atlantic region.
During its mission, Dolfijn was tasked with monitoring both surface and submarine platforms of non-NATO military forces operating in the region.
Equipped with advanced sonar and communications systems, the submarine carried out a range of patrol and reconnaissance operations to enhance NATO’s maritime domain awareness.
Lieutenant Commander Hans, who commanded the submarine, stated: “This was a successful deployment for HNLMS Dolfijn operating under the Commander of NATO Submarines to enhance maritime domain awareness and deterrence activities in the Northern Atlantic. Our ability to operate across the entire spectrum of the Euro-Atlantic region, in arduous and challenging conditions, underlines our commitment to supporting Allied operations.”
NATO’s submarine force plays a crucial role in maintaining the strategic and tactical advantage of the Alliance across the Atlantic, High North, the Baltics, and the Mediterranean. The strength of this force lies in multinational collaboration, with member states frequently conducting joint exercises such as Dynamic Mongoose and Dynamic Manta to enhance submarine hunting capabilities.
The Royal Netherlands Navy will soon upgrade its fleet, replacing the current Walrus-class submarines with four state-of-the-art Orka-class submarines, ensuring continued support for NATO operations in the future.
One less submarine manufacturer in Europe.
That’s not exactly a recent development, and arguably is a good thing given how fragmented the defence industry is in Europe.
Interesting development.
Dutch Navy will buy 2 550t ships with Barak ER missile in containers they will follow their destroyers in AAW- the destroyers have a certain model of SM-2 missiles and those missiles are not manufactured anymore.
The 550t ships are said to have a crew of only 8.
Aye, basically small arsenal ships, if anyone remembers that idea when it was floated (no pun intended), around 20-odd years ago. I can see that small crew becoming optional though, and sooner rather than later.
As the buzz phrase goes these days, “it’s all about mass”, in this case, available weapons on task. I think I said it previously, it’s going to be interesting to see the next generation of destroyers, including Type 83, exactly how many missile cells they’ll be fitted with. My guess is more. Many more.
4 Barracuda class to be built by Naval Group. Price not disclosed but one Dutch site says up to €4b. Another source suggests bid was €1.3b lower than project budget.