paroolOct 12, 2026, 17:36

Walrus submarine in Amsterdam for scrapping

The decommissioned Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus is being transported to Amsterdam to be dismantled and recycled after thirty years of service. The Ministry of Defence is managing the operation, which coincides with plans to replace the aging fleet with new vessels built in France.

The Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus is currently being transported from Den Helder to Amsterdam for decommissioning and recycling. The vessel, which was built in Rotterdam and officially retired by the Ministry of Defence three years ago after a long period of service, is being carried by a floating pontoon through the North Sea Canal. Authorities have declined to provide specific arrival details in Amsterdam due to security concerns regarding the dismantling process.

Following its arrival, the submarine will be disassembled and its components recycled or melted down. The Walrus is part of a larger fleet replacement program, as its sister ships, the Dolfijn, Zeeleeuw, and Bruinvis, have also reached the end of their operational lives. While the original vessels were domestically produced, the Dutch government has contracted French shipbuilders for the construction of new submarines to ensure the nation maintains its underwater capabilities in line with NATO standards.

Technology Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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