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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Glad they’re on our side
Formidable boats, especially in shallow littoral waters.
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Will Sweden build a follow on class of sub?
Already are, 2 under construction. Expected 2027 and 2028.
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 system and probably a lot cheaper.
Sweden is presently building 2 A26 Blekinge class to maintain its fleet of 5 boats, but is heading towards expanding its submarine fleet with 4 follow A30 boats
But as I’m slightly biased and it would detract budget from SSN’s then it will never happen.
Haven’t the Japanese switched to Li batteries instead of the Stirling engine for new construction?
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.
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.
Taigei, bloody autocorrect.
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.
Words.
Not.
Really.
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 boats, that decision has proved to be a very nice little earner.
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 not patrol an area
Relevant.