Dutch Submarines: News of 1999

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Reunion Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (2)
Oct 1999 E-mail	Nick Kuyper wants to organize a reunion for the (ex) crew members of Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (2). Nick Kuyper is voornemens om bij voldoende belangstelling een reünie te houden voor de bemanning van de guppie Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (S803). For more information please contact: zeeleeuw@planet.nl

Days at sea
2000 National Budget Sept 1999	The 'days at sea' stats for the Dutch submarines are as follows: 1998: 424. 1999 estimate: 480. 2000 estimate: 480, and also 480 days at sea are estimated for 2001.

Readiness of Dutch Subs
2000 National Budget Sept 1999	The average readiness of the Dutch subs is as follows: One sub is ready within two days, two within 20 days and one submarine is ready within one year.

Dutch 'Submarine Commander' courses
E-mail Sept 1999	World wide the Dutch 'Submarine Commander' courses are very well known for their high quality. Therefore the Dutch do not only train their own commanders but also the submarine commanders of the Australian, Brazilian, Israelian, Danish, Chilean and South African Navies.

Another UPDATE: Dutch subs for Egypt
E-mail Sept 1999	New sources report the 'RDM / Egypt' deal does indeed include the new design. Possibly the 2nd hand Zwaardvis (2)-class subs are thrown in (and refitted) for 'free'. All this so RDM can sell their first Moray. I guess only time will tell what the deal is all about. for more info about Dutch subs for Egypt.

Dutch sub 'sinks' another carrier
E-mail Sep 1999	During exercise JTFEX / TMDI99 (early 1999) the Dutch Walrus (2) 'sunk' the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, the submarine launched two attacks and managed to sneak away. Click here for more info

UPDATE: Dutch subs for Egypt
Various emails Sept 1999	According to several emails the news reported in Aug 1999 about a possible Moray deal between R.D.M. Submarines, Ingalls and the Egyptian Navy does not includes any newly built submarines. The deal probably includes only the two decommissioned ex-Dutch Navy -class submarines. These subs will probably be refitted at the US Ingalls shipyard.

Old exciting news: Dutch sub 'sinks' carrier
Naval Forces 5/89 Aug 1999	" . . . . .during NATO exercise "North Star" in March '89 the Dutch Submarine "Zwaardvis" was the only orange (enemy) submarine to successfully stalk and sink a blue (allied) aircraft carrier although orange SSN (=nuclear driven subs) were participating . . . ." From: " The Changing Role of NATO submarines", Naval Forces 5/89, vol X." by Norman Polmar.

Reunion Smaldeel-1(1960), including Zwaardvis(1)
E-mail Aug 1999	On March 3 2000 there will be a reunion for all sailors of the ships that were part of Smaldeel 1. The Smaldeel 1 consisted of: cruiser Hr.Ms. De Ruyter, destroyer Hr.Ms. Limburg, destroyer Hr.Ms. Drente, destroyer Hr.Ms. Gelderland, frigate Hr.Ms. De Bitter and submarine Hr.Ms. Zwaardvis (1). The sailors of the ships rescued many earthquake victims in Agadir (Morocco). Read the article posted on the Dutch Sub-Board or contact Ben Timmermans (avomprev@tref.nl) for more information.

Dutch subs for Egypt
E-mail Aug 1999	In a recent message to the Egyptian Navy the US Navy writes "....... WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE EGYPTIAN NAVY HAS ACQUIRED THE COOPERATION OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY TO PROVIDE ON-SITE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING ASSISTANCE AT THE INGALLS FACILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL CONSTRUCTION COMPLIES WITH ESTABLISHED RDM DESIGN AND RECOMMENDED RDM MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE RNLN, WHICH HAS AN EXCELLENT RECORD OF SUCCESSFULLY AND SAFELY OPERATING RDM DESIGNED AND BUILT SUBMARINES, HAS COMMITTED TO ASSIST IN CREW TRAINING AS WELL AS TEST AND TRIALS FOR THE SUBMARINES. AS A RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS THE EGYPTIAN NAVY SHOULD RECEIVE A "STATE OF THE ART" DIESEL SUBMARINE......." This refers probably to the R.D.M. submarine design (probably two type 1400). It is unclear whether Egypt will buy the Moray including A.I.P. (probably not). It is also unclear whether Egypt will buy two retired Dutch Navy -class submarines (probably not). Click for the complete article.

K IX re-located
E-mail 20 July 1999	"...The wreck of K IX was last observed in 1984 after heavy seas removed large volumes of sand from the site. Local fishermen however, all had slightly different recollections as to where it lay on Submarine Beach near Seal Rocks, NSW, Australia. Today (Tuesday 20 July, 1999) we covered these areas using a Ferex Magnetometer which discounted each of these areas. We then checked a position marked on a coastal chart of the area which was derived from earlier aerial photography. We detected the wreck site beneath the sand of the beach. It is buried in three meters of sand and lies approximately at 35 degrees to the shore, with the bow pointing south and inland. The site is too deeply buried to inspect further. We will have to wait until heavy seas next expose it, perhaps in another 10-20 years !!...." Reported by Tim Smith. Read the article for more info about K IX and the Australian Navy.

Search for K IX Submarine
E-mail July 1999	".....Maritime Archaeologists from the NSW Heritage Office are preparing to search for the wreck of the ex-Dutch submarine, K IX. This boat washed ashore at Submarine Beach near Seal Rocks in NSW, Australia, after a towing accident in 1945. While the wreck is now buried under beach sands, its approximate position is known. A magnetometer survey will attempt to relocate the site and some limited probing to determine its buried depth. Few archival records survive for the vessel in Australia, even though it was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy during WWII. The team is hoping to detect the wreck on Tuesday 20 July when they attempt the first beach search...." Reported by Tim Smith. Read the article for more info about K IX and the Australian Navy.

Dolfijn(4) war patrol update
E-mail 4 July 1999	The Dolfijn (4) finished her war patrol in the Adriatic. She is currently (Sunday the 4th) at Malaga's port. Looks like she arrived Friday the 2nd. The Dolfijn (4) will arrive in Den Helder on Saturday the 10th. Reported by Gorka L. Martinez Mezo.

RDM Submarines update
June 1999 De Telegraaf, Rotterdams Dagblad	The CEO of RDM submarines, Mr. T. Kiewik, presented the Moray 1400 to the press and stated that the Dutch company RDM submarines expects that in the next ten years there will be a market for 100, up to 150, new submarines world wide. RDM hopes to get a market share of 20% with their class submarines. It is expected that the first two units (Moray 1400 type) will be sold before the end of this year. The price of a single unit will be between 450 and 650 million Dutch guilders (225 and 325 US$), depending on the installed equipment. For this project RDM submarines works together with Lockheed Martin Undersea Systems and Ingalls Shipbuilding. RDM is also trying to get the contract for the overhaul of the Dutch Dolfijn (4), but the ministry of defence probably favours the Navy Yard in Den Helder. RDM still has two decommissioned Dutch submarines for sale. The Zwaardvis (2) and the Tijgerhaai (2), both of the class. T. Kiewik stated that these submarines are ideal for a Navy that wants to start-up their own submarine service.

Navy Days at the Den Helder Naval Base
Royal Netherlands Navy	During the 1999 Navy Days (July 2,3 and 4) the Navy will organize many different demonstrations and exhibitions. Numerous Dutch and foreign ships are open to the public, including a (Dutch) submarine. Check the official Royal Netherlands Navy website for more info (Dutch language).

Sale to Egypt off, to Taiwan maybe still on
March 1999 USNI Proc.	A July 1998 proposal (check the 1998 news below) by Netherlands submarine builder RDM to sell its two retired Dutch Navy -class submarines to Egypt after modernization at Ingalls Shipbuilding in the United States has not been brought to fruition; the package also included follow-on assembly of RDM's perennially unbought -class diesel attack boat design at Pascagoula, with the entire program to be financed with U.S. military aid funds. RDM also is said still to be in the running for Taiwan's planned construction of up to a dozen diesel submarines (despite previous Netherlands government prohibition against military sales to Taiwan), although a new competitor was reported in January 1999 in the form of a plan to fabricate German-designed submarine sections at Electric Boat for delivery to Taiwan for final assembly. for more info about Dutch subs for Taiwan.

*Dolfijn(4) to the Adriatic*
24 Apr 1999 OZD	On the 26th of April the Dolfijn (4) will leave Den Helder and sail to the Adriatic, in order to relief a British submarine on the 11th of May. Until July the Dolfijn (4) will be part of the Maritime component of "Allied Force" (NATO actions concerning Kosovo). Main task will be the protection of allied units and the observation of possible activities of the FRY-fleet. Additional costs for the Submarine Service because of the unplanned patrol will be about 600.000 guilders

Walrus (2) visits Willemstad
Mei 1999 Marine Nieuws	On the 2nd of April the Walrus (2) together with De Ruyter, Zuiderkruis and Van Nes arrived in Willemstad (Curaçao).

**Dolfijn(4), Bruinvis and Zeeleeuw(2)**
Early Apr 1999 Email	Early April the Dolfijn (4), Bruinvis and Zeeleeuw (2) are at their home port (Den Helder). Zeeleeuw (2) is in the dry-dock.

Walrus(2) participates in JTFEX/TMDI99
7 Apr 1999 Alle Hens	Walrus (2) participates, among other NATO navies and the Brazilian navy, in the exercise JTFEX/TMDI99 (Joint Task Force Exercise / Theatre Missile Defence Initiative 1999). The exercise is held in the Caribbean and on the US main land and has 27000 participants, of which 15000 naval participants. This exercise, which is the biggest gathering of forces since the Gulf-war, is held from 1 Feb to 4 Mar 1999.

Onderzeedienst (Submarine Service) Reunion
20 Mar 1999 P.L. Jansen	The next reunion of the members of the Onderzeedienst Reünistenvereniging will be held on Friday the 4th of June 1999 in Den Helder. For more info check out the reunion page at the Welkom Aan Boord website.

Bruinvis participates in the NATO exercise
17-23 Feb 1999 NATO Update	16 Feb - 3 Mar 1999: Bruinvis participates in the NATO exercise ''Battle Griffin 99". Norway hosts one of the largest NATO exercises ever to have taken place in the country. About 20000 soldiers, 7000 vehicles, 175 aircrafts and 42 ships from eight nations take part in Battle Griffin '99, demonstrating the Alliance' resolve and readiness to secure the collective security of its member countries. Sea, Land as well as Air forces participate in this exercise. Other submarines taking part are: HMS Superb, HNoMS Stors, HNoMS Svenner, USS Pittsburgh and FGS U22.

Mobile "Torpedo Bunks" on Walrus class subs
Jan 1999 Marine-Nieuws	The Dutch Submarine Service decided to improve the extra accommodations (bunks) located in the forward torpedo room. Complete article

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