Saab has launched HMS Halland at its shipyard in Karlskrona following a comprehensive mid-life upgrade.

HMS Halland is the third and final submarine in the Gotland class to undergo this extensive modernisation, marking an important milestone for Sweden’s submarine capability.

The upgrade incorporates a range of new technologies and systems – the same type that will be deployed in the forthcoming Blekinge-class submarines. More than twenty central systems, including advanced sensors and command systems, were replaced to enhance performance and operational readiness.

Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s Business Area Kockums, commented, “Securing critical underwater infrastructure and sea lanes is more important than ever. The launch of HMS Halland is a testament to Saab’s ability to upgrade and deliver advanced submarines with the capabilities the Swedish Navy requires. With HMS Halland, the Swedish Navy, and by extension NATO, is given additional muscle to defend and monitor the Baltic Sea.”

The upgrade ensures that HMS Halland will be able to carry out maritime missions for many years to come, joining her sister submarines, HMS Gotland and HMS Uppland, which have previously been modernised.

The improvements are designed to boost the submarine’s endurance and covert operational capability in the challenging and layered waters of the Baltic Sea.


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Lisa West
Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.
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Levi Goldsteinberg
Levi Goldsteinberg
7 hours ago

Glad they’re on our side

Joe Mitchell
Joe Mitchell
7 hours ago

Formidable boats, especially in shallow littoral waters.

Worksprofit1
3 hours ago
Reply to  Joe Mitchell

I­’m­ m­a­k­i­n­g­ o­v­e­r­ $20k­ a­ m­o­n­t­h­ w­o­r­k­i­n­g­ p­a­r­t­ t­i­m­e­. i­ k­e­p­t­ h­e­a­r­i­n­g­ o­t­h­e­r­ p­e­o­p­l­e­ t­e­l­l­ m­e­ h­o­w­ m­u­c­h­ m­o­n­e­y­ t­h­e­y­ c­a­n­ m­a­k­e­ o­n­l­i­n­e­ s­o­ i­ d­e­c­i­d­e­d­ t­o­ l­o­o­k­ i­n­t­o­ i­t­. w­e­l­l­, i­t­ w­a­s­ a­l­l­ t­r­u­e­ a­n­d­ h­a­s­ t­o­t­a­l­l­y­ c­h­a­n­g­e­d­ m­y­ l­i­f­e­. t­h­i­s­ i­s­

w­h­a­t­ i­ d­o­….. 𝐖𝐰𝐰.𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝟏.𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞/

Meirion X
Meirion X
7 hours ago

Will Sweden build a follow on class of sub?

RobW
RobW
7 hours ago
Reply to  Meirion X

Already are, 2 under construction. Expected 2027 and 2028.

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
6 hours ago

If and it’s a BIG If we were to ever consider buying or building a class of Conventional AIP submarines then it’s Sweden I’d talk to. There are several different ways AIP can be made to work but IMHO Swedens system is by far the simplest, most robust and lowest maintenance, which is probably why Japan licensed it for the Soryu class. The Stirling Engine used is a very updated design based on the “Air engine” invented by Robert Stirling way back in 1816, all it needs is Diesel fuel and liquid Oxygen it’s a huge contrast to the German… Read more »

Mark
Mark
6 hours ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

Haven’t the Japanese switched to Li batteries instead of the Stirling engine for new construction?

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
5 hours ago
Reply to  Mark

How do those Li batteries get charged under water.

You could be running very slowly and quietly – ok not as quiet with the diesel on as pure electric – with the Li batteries charging and then you need to sprint.

Persistence is the name of the game with subs and that is usually oxygen limited for conventional subs. Nuclear can make oxygen by electrolysis as they have so much electrical power.

Mark
Mark
1 hour ago

I think the view is the better energy density means the traditional charging is all that’s needed, either way they have moved away with Sterlings, the last two of the Soryu class and the new Taipei don’t have them.

Mark
Mark
1 hour ago
Reply to  Mark

Taigei, bloody autocorrect.

Jonathan
Jonathan
5 hours ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

To be honest electric boats are all about local area denial and the RN is majoring on autonomous platforms for that role so I would be very very surprised if we went for an electric boat.

Also geopolitically and Geostrategically the UK and Europe need nuclear boats to impact on far way sealanes and only the UK and France can do that..but everyone and the dog can do electric boats..let’s leave the electric boats to the smaller European navies and Italy and major on Being Europes world wide asset.

Freddie
Freddie
5 hours ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Words.

Freddie
Freddie
5 hours ago
Reply to  Freddie

Not.

Freddie
Freddie
5 hours ago
Reply to  Freddie

Really.

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
5 hours ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Yep there are reasons that the US, UK and France don’t buy conventional anymore, speed, depth, endurance, firepower and the cost of actually building them, the required industry and infrastructure to maintain them. We designed and built the Upholders but with budgets being cut post Cold War we got shot pretty quickly as it diverted funds from the Nucs. Oddly France stopped building SSK for themselves when the Rubis class SSN entered service. But being export orientated saw a market for a larger western SSK than the German 209’s, so they didn’t stop designing, building and licensing Agosta and Scorpene… Read more »

Martin L
Martin L
4 hours ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

I think there are rolls which an AIS powered vessel can vary out much cheaper than a nuclear powered submarine and with a far smaller crew 4 small AIS boats could be a better investment than upping the SSN class from seven to nine and most importantly could be considerably quicker. Autonomous vessels for local defence would also work but I’m not sure you would want an autonomous vessel patroling the Greenland Iceland gap for example cand they would be hard to use for covert landings in Northern Norway. The SSNs we have are needed to hunt for Russian submarines… Read more »

Freddie
Freddie
5 hours ago

Relevant.