Visby-class corvette
{{Short description|Swedish stealth missile corvettes}}
{{Other ships|Visby-class destroyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = K32 HMS Helsingborg Anchored-of-Gotska-Sandoen cropped.jpg| | Ship caption = HSwMS Helsingborg off Gotska Sandön }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Visby class | Builders = Kockums | Operators = {{navy|Sweden}} | Class before = {{sclass|Göteborg|corvette|4}} | Class after = {{sclass|Luleå|corvette|4}} | Subclasses = | Built range = | In commission range = 16 December 2009 | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = 6 | Total ships completed = 5 | Total ships cancelled = 1 | Total ships active = 5 | Total ships laid up = | Cost = US$184 million{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3724219.stm | title = Stealth ships steam ahead | date = 10 June 2004| first = Chris | last = Summers | work = BBC News |access-date=4 April 2015 }} | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Corvette | Ship displacement = 640 tonnes | Ship length = {{convert|72.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|10.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = {{convert|2.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *CODOG
| Ship speed = {{convert|35|kn|lk=in}}+ | Ship range = {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|abbr=on}} | Ship complement = 43 | Ship sensors = * Saab 9LV combat management system
| Ship EW = Rheinmetall TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) | Ship armament = *1 × Bofors 57 mm L/70 naval artillery gun gun
| Ship armour = | Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = AW109 helicopter pad | Ship notes = }} |
The Visby class is a series of corvettes in use by the Swedish Navy. It is the latest class of corvette adopted by the navy after the {{sclass|Göteborg|corvette|5}}- and {{sclass|Stockholm|corvette|0}} corvettes. Its design emphasizes low visibility radar cross-section and infrared signature, and the class has received widespread international attention because of its capabilities as a stealth ship. The first ship in the class is named after Visby, the main city on the island of Gotland.
The Visby ships are designed by Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and built by Saab Kockums AB in Karlskrona.{{cite magazine|last=Mack |first=Ben |title=Sweden Builds World's First Stealth Ships |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast Publications |date=2009-02-12 |url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/sweden-build-wo.html |access-date=2009-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213231525/http://blog.wired.com//cars//2009//02//sweden-build-wo.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }} The first ship of the class was launched in 2000, but production then suffered repeated delays. The fifth and final ship was delivered in 2015.
Design
The hull is constructed with a sandwich design consisting of a PVC core with a carbon fibre and vinyl laminate{{cite web |title=Visby Class Corvettes, Sweden |work=naval-technology.com |publisher=SPG Media Limited |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/visby/|access-date=4 April 2015}} (see also the Oceanic-Creations spin-off). There are multiple advantages to using composite materials in ship hulls. Good conductivity and surface flatness mean a low radar signature, while good heat insulation lowers the infrared signature and increases survivability in case of fire. The composite sandwich used is also non-magnetic, which lowers the magnetic signature. Composites are also very strong for their relative weight, and less weight means a higher top speed and better maneuverability. The composite weighs roughly 50% less than the equivalent strength steel.{{cite web|title=Visby Class Corvette|publisher=Saab Group|date=2014 |url=http://www.saabgroup.com/en/Naval/Kockums-Naval-Solutions/Naval-Surface-Ships/Visby-Class-Corvette/|access-date=4 April 2015}}
Visby{{'}}s angular tumblehome design reduces its radar signature. Jan Nilsson, one of the designers, told BBC News Online: "We are able to reduce the radar cross-section by 99%. That doesn't mean it's 99% invisible, it means that we have reduced its detection range." The 57 mm cannon barrel can be folded into the turret to reduce its cross-section.
History
Much of the design was based on the experiences learned from the experimental ship {{HSwMS|Smyge}}. The class was originally designed to be divided into two subcategories where the last ship was optimized for surface combat and 4 others for submarine hunting; however, this was changed due to cutbacks.
A helicopter, such as the Agusta Westland A109M selected by Sweden, can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck. A helicopter hangar was originally planned but was considered to be too cramped and was removed.
The ships took an exceptionally long time from launch to delivery and the construction has been fraught with repeated delays. In 2008, the only weapons system that had been integrated and tested in Visby was the gun.
Finally, on 16 December 2009, the next two of the corvettes were delivered to the Swedish Navy by the Försvarets materielverk (FMV).{{cite web|title = Visby corvettes delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces|publisher = Swedish Defence Materiel Administration|date=2009-12-21|url = http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=4987 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100818154502/http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=4987 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2010-08-18 |access-date = 2010-02-02}} The two ships, K32 and K33, were delivered with underwater and surface/air sensors fully integrated. However, the only weapon that had been integrated and test-fired on the ships was still the Bofors 57 Mk3 gun, FMV calls this version 4.
File:K31 HSwMS Visby (8643087399).jpg
Version 5 supplemented the ships with mine clearance systems, helicopter landing capability, anti-surface ship missiles, and additional stealth adaptation. Visby was the first of the corvettes to be upgraded to Version 5. On 22 March 2012 FMV reported that the ship had been modified and that the system would be tested before reentering the Swedish Navy by the end of 2012.{{Citation|publisher=FMV |title=Visby upgrades |url=http://www.fmv.se/sv/Nyheter-och-press/Nyheter-fran-FMV/Visby-uppgraderas/ |language=sv |place=SE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327150621/http://www.fmv.se/sv/Nyheter-och-press/Nyheter-fran-FMV/Visby-uppgraderas/ |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }}
Although the design of the ships originally called for the installation of surface-to-air missiles, on 18 September 2008 the Genomförandegruppen cancelled the project to rationalize the procurement of defence materiel for the Swedish defence.{{Citation | url = http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10209/a/111475 | publisher = Regeringen | title = Effektivisering av försvarsmaterielförsörjningen - omprövning av materielprojekt | language = sv | date = 18 September 2008 | place = SE | access-date = 4 April 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150409103055/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10209/a/111475 | archive-date = 9 April 2015 }}.
= Mid-life upgrade =
In January 2021 Saab and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract for the mid-life upgrade of the five Visby corvettes. The MLU will include the installation of surface-to-air missiles, the implementation of upgraded anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes, improved sensors and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. The upgrade of all five ships will be completed before 2030 and the MLU aims to keep the Visby corvettes operationally relevant beyond 2040.{{Cite web |title=Två nya kontrakt för Visbykorvetter |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/tva-nya-kontrakt-for-visbykorvetter/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=www.fmv.se |language=sv}}{{Cite web |title=Nya ytstridsfartyg |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/nya-ytstridsfartyg/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=www.fmv.se |language=sv}}{{Cite web |last=Försvarsmakten |title=Ytterligare resurser krävs för att klara den militära tillväxten |url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2022/11/ytterligare-resurser-kravs-for-att-klara-den-militara-tillvaxten/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Försvarsmakten |language=sv}}
To be fitted with CAMM surface-to-air missiles.{{Cite web |last=Southgate |first=Jon |date=2023-11-16 |title=Sweden orders MBDA's CAMM air defence missile |url=https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/?p=12480 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Newsroom MBDA |language=en-EN}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/sweden-orders-camm-air-defence-missile-for-visby-corvettes/ |title=Sweden Orders CAMM Air Defence Missile For Visby Corvettes |work=Naval News |date=16 November 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/11/16/sweden-orders-mbda-missiles-for-its-visby-class-fleet/ |title=Sweden orders MBDA missiles for its Visby-class fleet |work=Defense News |last=Chuter |first=Andrew |date=16 November 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023}}
=Cancelled second generation=
In January 2021 FMV and SAAB also signed an agreement for the product definition phase of the Visby Generation 2 corvettes. The new corvettes were to be equipped with modern anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes. Four Visby Gen 2 corvettes would be built with the first two ships scheduled for delivery to the Swedish Navy around the year 2030 with the latter two ships being delivered sometime between 2031 and 2035. Rear admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum stated that the Visby generation 2 corvettes would be larger than the current Visby corvettes, with increased range and crew complement being the main reasons for this change. In 2021, an order was placed for the development of this second generation of evolved Visby corvettes.{{cite news |date=2 July 2015 |title=Sista Visbykorvetten är nu levererad |newspaper=Sveriges Radio |publisher=Swedish Radio P4 |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6203777 |access-date=7 January 2022}}{{cite web | url = https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/saab-signs-two-contracts-for-next-generation-corvettes-for-sweden | title = Saab Signs Two Contracts for Next Generation Corvettes for Sweden | date = 2021-01-25 | publisher = Saab }}{{cite web | url = https://www.marinelog.com/news/sweden-moves-ahead-on-next-generation-visby-corvettes/ | title = Sweden moves ahead on next-generation Visby corvettes | first = Nick | last = Blenkey | work = MarineLog | publisher = Simmons-Boardman | date = 2021-01-25 }}
On 1 November 2022, the supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces, General Micael Bydén, published his recommendations for how the armed forces should grow over the coming years at the request of the Swedish government. This included the recommendation that the Visby Gen 2 corvettes should be equipped with longer-range surface-to-air missiles than those which will be used on the "Visby Gen 1" in order for the ships to be able to act as part of NATO integrated air and missile defences. Further recommendations included modifications to the ships to increase their interoperability with both NATO's standing maritime groups and the Joint Expeditionary Force.{{Cite web |last=Karremann |first=Jaime |title=Zweden werkt aan vloot van de toekomst: Visby's krijgen raketten en studies nieuwe onderzeeboten gestart |url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Zweden-werkt-aan-vloot-van-de-toekomst-240622.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Marineschepen.nl}}
=Replacement=
In early 2023 it was reported that the Visby gen 2 had been cancelled in favour of the clean sheet {{sclass|Luleå|corvette|4}}. The changing needs of the Swedish Navy as well as concerns about potential delays that could arise from modifying the Visby-class design were the main reasons given for the cancellation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2023/06/det-ska-marinens-nya-fartyg-heta/|title=Det ska marinens nya fartyg heta|first=Melina|last=Westberg|website=Försvarsmakten|accessdate=19 August 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=Försämrat säkerhetsläge stoppar utvecklingen av nya Visbykorvetter |url=https://www.blt.se/karlskrona/forsamrat-sakerhetslage-stoppar-utvecklingen-av-nya-visbykorvetter-897ea1ee/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Blekinge Läns Tidning |language=sv}}
Units
| class="wikitable" |
| Number
!Ship name !Laid down !Launched !Commissioned !Service !Status !Coat of arms |
|---|
| K31
|{{HSwMS|Visby|K31|2}} |17 February 1995 |8 June 2000 |16 September 2002 |Active |
| K32
|{{HSwMS|Helsingborg|K32|2}} | |27 June 2003 |16 December 2009 |Active |
| K33
|{{HSwMS|Härnösand|K33|2}} | |16 December 2004 |16 December 2009 |Active |
| K34
|{{HSwMS|Nyköping|K34|2}} | |18 August 2005 |16 September 2015 |Active |
| K35
|{{HSwMS|Karlstad|K35|2}} | |24 August 2006 |16 September 2015 |Active |
| K36
|Uddevalla | colspan="5" align="center" | Cancelled |
All systems for the ship Uddevalla were acquired, but the ship was later cancelled.
Similar ships
- {{sclass|Tuo Chiang|corvette|1}} (Taiwan)
- {{sclass|Baynunah|corvette|1}} (United Arab Emirates)
- {{sclass|Hamina|missile boat|1}} (Finland)
- Type 022 missile boat (China)
- Milgem-class corvette (Turkey)
- {{sclass|Skjold|corvette|1}} (Norway)
- Independence-class littoral mission vessel (Singapore)
Gallery
File:K33_HMS_Haernosand_Karlskrona_Marindagen2008.jpg|Härnösand at Karlskrona Naval Base.
File:HMS_Helsingborg_2.jpg|Helsingborg visiting her namesake.
File:K32 hms helsingborg stockholm 2008-11-16.jpg|Helsingborg in Stockholm City.
File:NATO ships take part in BALTOPS 20 MOD 45167293.jpg|Karlstad with British Merlin helicopter during BALTOPS 20
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Visby-class corvette}}
- [https://saab.com/naval/submarines-and-surface-ships/surface-ships/visby-class-corvette/ Official builder's homepage] (as of 2018)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004941/http://www.marinen.mil.se/visby/index.php?lang=sve&c=press Swedish navy page on the Visby trials] {{in lang|sv}}
- [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/visby/ Naval-Technology] - www.naval-technology.com
{{Visby class corvette}}
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{{Kockums Naval Solutions}}
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