Saab has been awarded a contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to equip the Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor air defence system from MBDA. This upgrade, valued at approximately SEK 1.6 billion (~$166 million), will significantly enhance Sweden’s and NATO’s air defence capabilities.
Saab press release
The order for Saab is part of FMV’s long-term plan to maintain and modernise the five Visby-class corvettes. This new naval air defence system allows for protection of a considerably larger area and the engagement of air targets at longer ranges compared to the existing weapon systems currently on board the vessels.
“This modification strengthens both Sweden’s and NATO’s air and missile defence by increasing the Swedish Armed Forces’ operational capability and ability to operate across the entire conflict spectrum. With the air defence system on board, the Visby-class corvettes will continue to be a vital platform for many years to come,”
Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s business area Kockums.
FMV has previously placed an order for the Sea Ceptor air defence system with MBDA. Saab’s work on modifying the Visby-class corvettes and installing the system will begin in early 2026
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Naval news comment
In 2020, the Swedish government decided to fit Visby-class corvettes with air defence system. Three years later, MBDA signed a contract with the FMV to supply Common Common Anti-air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) for the Swedish Armed Forces.
About Visby-class stealth corvette
The five Visby-class corvettes were built by Kockums in Karlskrona between 2000 and 2009. Their tasks are anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), escort and mine clearance. The vessels belong to the 3rd and 4th Naval Warfare Flotilla (sjöstridsflj) of the Swedish Navy.
Those ships are iconic and famous globally for their unique stealth design. Most of the sensors are covered by the hull and the main gun is hidden in a stealthy cupola when not in use. Even the anti-ship missile launchers are hidden internally in the ship’s structure. The exhaust gases from the ship’s water jet propulsion engines are diverted through hidden outlets near the waterline to provide as little heat signature as possible.
Three out of five corvettes have the ability to receive an organic helicopter. The mid size (A109M type) helicopter can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck, but on temporarily as there is no hangar to protect it.
Specifications
- Length: 73 m
- Width: 10.4 m
- Height: 19.3 m
- Displacement: 640 tons
- Max speed: About 35 knots
- Propulsion: Water jet ; diesel 2,600 kW; gas turbines 16,000 kW
- Crew: 43 sailors
- Weapon systems: Bofors 57 mm Mk III (stealth variant), Saab RBS 15 Mk II anti-ship missiles, submarine torpedoes, Torped 45 torpedoes.
- Sensor systems: Saab Sea GIRAFFE AMB 3D PESA surveillance radar, Saab Ceros 200 stealth fire control radar system, Condor CS-3701 tactical radar surveillance system, GDC Hull-mounted sonar
Hydroscience Technologies towed array sonar system, GDC variable depth sonar
