Did you know the HDMS Sælen once served in the Iraqi war? Right here before you lies a piece of Danish naval history. This isn’t just any submarine. The HDMS Sælen S323 boasts a fascinating past. Built in 1965 in Germany for the Royal Norwegian Navy she served as HNoMS Uthaug for 25 years. Denmark purchased her in 1990 renaming her after the seal. Her international call sign is OUCJ a detail few remember.
The Sælen’s journey wasn’t without incident. In 1990 she sank in the Kattegat while being towed. A German crane thankfully raised her for repairs in Aarhus. Recommissioned in 1993 she embarked on a remarkable mission. From May 2002 to June 2003 the HDMS Sælen served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Imagine the crew’s experience 385 days deployed in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. Her return was expedited via the heavy-lift ship Grietje a unique mode of transport for a submarine.
This wasn’t just any deployment. The HDMS Sælen was involved in wartime operations. The submarine monitored traffic and communication. She was Denmark’s only submarine ever to participate in combat. A proud moment but also a significant event. This marked the first Danish naval involvement in wartime since World War II.
After her return from the Persian Gulf the HDMS Sælen was decommissioned in 2004. Instead of being scrapped she was given a new purpose. The Royal Danish Naval Museum welcomed her. Today she’s a museum ship. Here at Holmen in central Copenhagen she is open to visitors. Explore her decks. Feel the weight of history beneath your feet. Learn about her eight 533 mm torpedo tubes. Imagine the life of the 24 officers and men who served aboard.
The HDMS Sælen’s story is one of service adventure and preservation. This small coastal submarine is a testament to Danish naval history. It’s a vessel deserving of respect and remembrance. Step aboard and discover her legacy. Her journey from Norwegian waters to the Persian Gulf to this museum is truly extraordinary.