*Source: DTN News / Defense Current Updates
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - January 23, 2010: Two of the Visby corvettes, HMS Helsingborg and HMS Härnösand, are now operational with the Royal Swedish Navy, as part of the Third Naval Warfare Flotilla, based in Karlskrona.
The first two Visby-class stealth corvettes, HMS Helsingborg and HMS Härnösand, are now operational with the Swedish Navy.(Info/image: Defense-Aerospace)
Built by Kockums, they significantly enhance the Swedish Navy’s capability. “With their stealth technology, the Visby corvettes are the right concept for the future, given the environment in which we shall be operating, namely the littoral zone.
The ships will form the core of the Swedish Navy for years to come. And they have attracted considerable international interest,” states Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad, Inspector General of the Royal Swedish Navy.
The ships are built for service with Sweden’s rapid reaction force, designed primarily to operate in the Baltic, although also on international missions in the littoral zone. Featuring full stealth capabilities, these vessels are difficult to detect either with radar or other sophisticated detection technologies, offering numerous tactical advantages.
They are constructed of carbon fibre. It is also possible to exit the stealth mode, perhaps on an international mission where a temporary need to demonstrate some military muscle arises, after which the ship can ‘disappear’ again.
The Swedish Navy has always operated in the littoral zone, an area in which it is specialised. Similar coastal waters exist in all parts of the world, of course, precisely those areas where maritime traffic is most intense. The Visby concept has generated a lot of attention, and naval experts the world over are following developments with keen interest.
Construction began in 1996 at Kockums' Kalrskrona yard. The Visby (K31) was launched in June 2000 and was delivered to the FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) in June 2002 for fitting with weapons and combat systems. The second, HMS Helsingborg (K32), was launched in June 2003 and delivered in April 2006. Harnosand (K33) was launched in December 2004. HMS Visby and Harnosand were officially delivered to the FMV in June 2006.
The other hulls are: Nykoping (K34), launched in August 2005 and delivered in September 2006, and Karlstad (K35), launched in August 2006.
The vessels are undergoing operational sea trials before commissioning in 2009. The Swedish Navy has cancelled an option on a sixth vessel (Uddevalla K36).
"Visby is a class of stealth corvettes for the Swedish Navy."
The first four Visby corvettes for the Swedish Navy are for mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The last vessel will be primarily for the attack and anti-surface warfare role.
A helicopter, such as the AgustaWestland A109M selected by Sweden, can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck.
Construction began in 1996 at Kockums' Kalrskrona yard. The Visby (K31) was launched in June 2000 and was delivered to the FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) in June 2002 for fitting with weapons and combat systems. The second, HMS Helsingborg (K32), was launched in June 2003 and delivered in April 2006. Harnosand (K33) was launched in December 2004. HMS Visby and Harnosand were officially delivered to the FMV in June 2006.
The other hulls are: Nykoping (K34), launched in August 2005 and delivered in September 2006, and Karlstad (K35), launched in August 2006.
The vessels are undergoing operational sea trials before commissioning in 2009. The Swedish Navy has cancelled an option on a sixth vessel (Uddevalla K36).
"Visby is a class of stealth corvettes for the Swedish Navy."
The first four Visby corvettes for the Swedish Navy are for mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The last vessel will be primarily for the attack and anti-surface warfare role.
A helicopter, such as the AgustaWestland A109M selected by Sweden, can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck.
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