The Dutch defense ministry is getting ready to launch an upgrade program for its four Walrus-class submarines, although it has had to reduce the scope of the effort from what was initially planned.

The goal is to stretch the service life of the attack submarines to 2025. The submarines, whose design dates back to 1975, entered service in 1990 with a planned service life of 25 years.

The Walrus submarines – the Bruinvis, Dolfijn, Walrus and Zeeleeuw – were to undergo a major upgrade program halfway through their service life. However, the Dutch defense ministry says those plans had to be scrapped due to budget constraints.

Instead, the so called Walrus Class Upkeep Program has morphed into the service life extension effort, adding 10 years to the service life. The project is supposed to lead to the refurbishing of the pressure hull, partial replacement of the periscope system, replacement of selective subsystems, and introduction of a new combat management system, according to the ministry’s Defense Materiel Organization. The upgrade program is supposed to run from 2011 through 2018.

In particular, one of the efforts will see the replacement of the optic navigation periscope with a non-hull-penetrating optronic mast. The program to replace the navigation periscope will be put out for competition, with companies interested in performing the work due to notify the Dutch government by April 10 about their interest.

[Photo: Dutch MOD]