Editing Walrus-class submarine (section)

==Design==
[[File:Onderzeeboot Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (S803), in de kuip op uitkijk (2158 017261).jpg|thumb|left|Inside the conning tower]]
[[File:Onderzeeboot Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (S803) interieur, centrale (2158 017254).jpg|thumb|right|Operations compartment aboard ''Zeeleeuw'', 1998]]
[[File:Onderzeeboot Hr.Ms. Zeeleeuw (S803) boegbuiskamer. Torpedoladen (2158 017264).jpg|thumb|right|Torpedo room aboard ''Zeeleeuw'']]
The ''Walrus''-class submarine was designed by Jan Jaap van Rijn, at the time Chief Bureau of Submarines ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: Hoofd Bureau Onderzeeboten) at the Directorate of Materiel of the Royal Netherlands Navy ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: Directie Materieel van de Koninklijke Marine).<ref>{{cite web |author=Jaime Karremann |date=17 December 2014 |title=Exclusief interview over ontwerp en bouw Walrusklasse onderzeeboten |url=https://marineschepen.nl/dossiers/ontwerp-en-bouw-walrus-klasse-onderzeeboten.html |website=Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Jaime Karremann |date=18 December 2014 |title=De oude ingenieurs over de nieuwe onderzeeboten (Deel II) |url=https://marineschepen.nl/dossiers/nieuwe-onderzeeboten-volgens-ontwerpers-walrusklasse.html |website=Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=March 2021 |title=Ing. JJ van Rijn, “Het Brein” |url= |magazine=Klaar voor Onderwater|volume=44 |issue=155 |location=Den Helder |pages=17-19}}</ref>

The ''Walrus''-class submarines are unusual in that instead of a cross-shaped assembly of stern [[diving plane]]s and [[rudder]]s, they mount four combined rudders and diving planes in an "X" configuration.<ref name="walrusnavaltechnology">{{Cite web|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/walrus-class-submarines/|title=Walrus-Class Submarines|website=www.naval-technology.com|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref> This tail configuration was first tested in 1960 on the [[United States Navy]]'s {{USS|Albacore|AGSS-569|6}}, and has since been used by the ''Walrus'' class, all [[Swedish Navy]] submarines since the {{sclass|Sjöormen|submarine|4}}, the [[Royal Australian Navy]]'s {{sclass|Collins|submarine|4}}, the [[German Navy]] [[Type 212 submarine|Type&nbsp;212A]] and the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]'s {{sclass|Sōryū|submarine|4}}. The X configuration is a complex system and therefore not implemented by many other navies around the world.<ref name="GlobalSecurity"/>

The submarines of the ''Walrus'' class, when submerged, are silent and therefore difficult to detect by ships, planes and other submarines once they go into hiding.<ref name="defensieonderzeeboten">{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/materieel/schepen/onderzeeboten|title=Onderzeeboten|website=www.defensie.nl|language=nl-NL|access-date=2018-06-22|date=2015-11-30}}</ref> This makes the boats very suitable for combating surface vessels and submarines, protecting friendly units, gathering information, providing early warning detection, and supporting special operations. The submarines can also be used to enforce international sanctions, as they did during the [[Yugoslav Wars]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sail.nl/schepen/marineschepen/onderzeeboten|title=Onderzeeboten|website=www.sail.nl|language=nl-NL|access-date=2017-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012330/https://sail.nl/schepen/marineschepen/onderzeeboten|archive-date=2018-03-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ''Walrus''-class submarines were specifically designed for hunting Russian submarines during the [[Cold War]].<ref name="deblesbovenhomburg" /> However, the Cold War had ended by the time they became operational. Nonetheless, they have provided excellent services in various international conflict situations in which the deployment of the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] was requested.<ref name="auto3" /> Since the Dutch submarines have acquired a good reputation, they are often part of international exercises, taking part in mock battles.<ref name="defensieonderzeeboten" /><ref name="defensieionfocus">{{Cite web|url=https://english.defensie.nl/downloads/leaflets/2017/04/20/the-royal-netherlands-navy-in-focus|title=The Royal Netherlands Navy in Focus|website=www.defensie.nl|language=nl-NL|page=35|date=2017-04-20|access-date=2018-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140151/https://english.defensie.nl/downloads/leaflets/2017/04/20/the-royal-netherlands-navy-in-focus|archive-date=2018-06-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2023 it was reported that the Dutch government wants to buy [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawks]] for the ''Walrus'' class submarines.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Maritime-strike-voor-LCF-en-Walrusklasse-150323.html |title= Langeafstandsraketten voor fregatten en onderzeeboten; Tomahawk testlancering in 2024 |author= Jaime Karremann |date=16 March 2023|website= Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zijlstra |first=Martin |date=11 April 2023 |title=Onderzeeboot en LCF krijgen ‘lange arm’ |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2023/03/03_tomahawks |magazine=Alle Hens |publisher=Koninklijke Marine |language=Dutch}}</ref> The Tomahawks would be the Torpedo Tube Launch (TTL) version, which can be fired from the torpedo tubes of the submarines.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/04/netherlands-selects-tomahawk-to-arm-frigate-and-submarines/ |title= Netherlands Selects Tomahawk to Arm Frigate and Submarines |author= Tayfun Ozberk |date=13 April 2023|website= Naval News}}</ref> However, at the same time it was also stated that if the delivery of this version of the Tomahawk would take too long to deliver it might not be feasible to integrate them on the ''Walrus'' class, as these submarines will replaced in the 2030s by a [[Orka-class submarine|new class of submarines]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Marine-krijgt-Tomahawk-kruisvluchtwapen-040423.html|title= In 2027 eerste Nederlandse fregat met Tomahawk |author= Jaime Karremann |date=4 April 2023|website= Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref> In May 2025 it was disclosed that the ''Walrus'' class submarines will not be equipped with Tomahawks.<ref>{{cite report |author= |date=21 May 2025 |title=Defensie Projectenoverzicht 2025 |url=https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/publicaties/2025/05/21/defensie-projectenoverzicht-2025/web_202500503_DPO+Rapportage+2025.pdf |website=Defensie.nl |publisher=Ministry of Defence |language=Dutch |page=63}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Xavier Vavasseur |date=23 May 2025 |title=Netherlands abandons Tomahawk integration in submarines |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/05/netherlands-abandons-tomahawk-integration-in-submarines/ |website=Naval News}}</ref>