Saab signs two contracts for next generation of surface ships and corvettes for Swedish Navy.

According to a press release published on January 25, 2021, Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, (FMV), have signed two agreements concerning the next generation of surface ships and corvettes. A Product Definition Phase for the Mid-Life Upgrades (MLU) of five Visby-class corvettes, as well as a Product Definition Phase for the next generation; Visby Generation 2 corvettes.
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K31 HSwMS Visby, a Visby-class Corvette of the Swedish Navy. (Picture source Wikimedia)

The contracts include requirements analysis and are respectively the start of the modification work of the five corvettes and the acquisition of the Visby Generation 2.

“The contract is a major step forward for Sweden’s surface combat capability, with the upgrade of current corvettes and the creation of the next-generation vessels. The Visby corvettes have been pioneers for 20 years, and after Mid-Life Upgrades, they will be well equipped for future assignments. The experience and knowledge that the Visby class has gathered over the years will feed into the development of Visby Generation 2,” said Lars Tossman, Head of Business Area Kockums.

The Visby Generation 2 is a development of Visby-class version 5 and will be equipped with a modern anti-ship missile system, torpedo system, and air defense missile system.

The first Visby-class corvette was launched on June 8, 2000, and today five corvettes are in operational service. The product definition phase regarding Mid-Life Upgrades aims to make the five ships in the class operationally relevant beyond 2040. In addition to modifying the ships' existing systems, an air defense missile system will be added as a new capability. The RBS15 anti-ship missile system will be upgraded to the latest version as well as will the torpedo system with the new Saab Lightweight Torpedo.

The Visby-class is an advanced stealth corvette designed by Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and built by Kockums AB to conduct anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasures, and maritime patrol roles.

The Visby-class is powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system that includes two 125SII Kamewa Waterjets, four Vericor TF50A gas turbines, two MTU Friedrichshafen 16 V 2000 N90 diesel engines, and three generators of 270kW each. The ship can reach a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 2,500 nmi (4,600 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h).

The Visby-class is armed with one 1 Bofors 57 mm Mk3 naval gun, eight RBS15 Mk2 anti-ship missiles, four 400 mm torpedo launchers for Torped 45 torpedoes, and ASW 127mm rocket-powered grenade launchers.