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. The Walrus-class submarines were specifically designed for hunting Russian submarines during the Cold War. 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. Since the Dutch submarines have acquired a good reputation, they are often part of international exercises, taking part in mock battles. Operational history After the Cold War, the submarines have been tasked with many highly confidential intelligence gathering operations, many of which are still classified. They have operated in the Northern Atlantic, Mediterranean Yugoslavian region, the Persian Gulf at Iran and Iraq, and the Caribbean, often upon the request of allies, including the United States. In June 2010, the Netherlands agreed to deploy one submarine to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. In November 2016, the Russian Navy claimed to have chased off a Walrus-class vessel from a battle group that included the . Submarine command course The Walrus-class submarines are used for the Submarine Command Course (SMCC) for both national and international candidates (including the UK, Australia and Canada), selecting and training future commanders of conventional submarines. They are highly rated, with an exceptional reputation. The Royal Netherlands Navy began this course after the British Royal Navy phased out their conventional submarines. Upgrade program In 2007, the Dutch cabinet approved an upgrade of the four operational submarines and recruitment of additional crew to improve overall operational availability. The upgrades were focused on near-shore operations and integration with new weapons, and include: the migration from the MK 48 mod-4 torpedo to the mod-7 version replacing one periscope with a non-hull-penetrating optronic mast from L-3 KEO which enables the submarine to capture HD footage, both day and night addition of a mine and obstacle avoidance sonar by ELAC Nautik refurbishing of the pressure hull introduction of a new combat management system modifications to support special operations forces In 2013, the contract for the Walrus-class (IP-W) Conservation Program was signed. The program covers the preservation of the pressure skin, the replacement of the sonar, navigation periscope and GIPSY combat system, improved communication systems and adaptations to a number of platform systems. All