Zwaardvis class submarine

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Zwaardvis class attack submarine

Class Overview
Class Type	Attack Submarine
Class Name	Zwaardvis (Swordfish)
Preceded By	Dolfijn class submarine
Succeeded By	Walrus class submarine
Ships of the Class:	Zwaardvis, Tijgerhaai, Hai Lung, Hai Hu

The Zwaardvis class submarine (Swordfish) is a conventional attack submarine that replaced the Dolfijn class submarines in the Royal Netherlands Navy. Zwaardvis is based on the U.S. Navy Barbel class with the teardrop hull design. In September 1981 the Republic of China (Taiwan) ordered 2 modified Zwaardvis class submarines, the Chien Lung/Hai Lung class. In 1992 a repeat order for another 4 boats was turned down by the Netherlands Government because of pressure from the People's Republic of China. The two Dutch boats have been replaced by the Walrus class.

The two decommissioned Dutch boats, Zwaardvis and Tijgerhaai, were loaded onto a ship and transported to PSC Naval Shipyard,Lumut, Malaysia in anticipation of purchase by the Malaysian Navy in 1997. However, the Malaysian Navy declined the offer and chose the French Scorpène class instead. The two boats are still in Lumut awaiting a buyer and possible refurbishment.

[edit] Ships

S860 Zwaardvis Commissioned: 18 August 1972 Decommissioned: 1994
S807 Tijgerhaai Commissioned: 20 October 1972 Decommissioned: 1995
793 Hai Lung Commissioned: 9 October 1987
794 Hai Hu Commissioned: 9 April 1988

[edit] General Characteristics

Displacement:2370 {2376} tons surfaced, 2655 {2660} tons submerged, {1900 tons light}
Length: 66.9 m
Beam: 8.4 m
Draft: 7.1 m {6.7 m}
Armament: 6 x 21" bow torpedo tubes (20 {28} torpedoes)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric
Speed: 13 {12} kts / burst speed over 20 kts
Endurance:
Range: 10,000 nm at 9 kts
Depth: 220 {300} m
Complement: 67 including 8 officers