Swedish Navy’s HSwMS Gotland Attack Submarine Set For Sea Trials

An attack submarine of the Swedish Navy, HSwMS Gotland (Gtd) has been relaunched for sea trials after completing mid-life upgrade (MLU).

Due to this MLU, the Gotland submarine has capabilities that will be found in the next generation of Swedish submarines, the A26.  The relaunch ceremony of the Gotland took place in Karlskrona on June 20.

“The relaunch of Gotland is an important milestone in the evolutionary development of Swedish submarines. After a comprehensive upgrade, integrating the latest generation of important systems such as the Stirling engine, modern sensors and new management functions, Gotland is almost a new submarine, ready to take on missions around the world,” says Gunnar Wieslander, Senior Vice President, head of business area Kockums at Saab.

The Gotland was designed and built by Kockums in Malmö in the early 1990’s and commissioned in 1996. The mid-life modification consists of upgrades of onboard systems and technology, sustaining the submarine’s operability, and ensuring service to Sweden beyond 2025.

The upgrade process entails many important systems, such as the Stirling Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). Sensors and management system are replaced with updated versions. Even the traditional optical periscope is replaced with a new optronic mast.

This updated version of the Gotland will pave the way for the most modern AIP submarine under production today: the A26 for the Royal Swedish Navy. More than 20 systems on-board the new Gotland-class will be implemented in the A26. The MLU of Gotland therefore contributes to the test and qualification of some of the innovative solutions to be implemented in the future Swedish A26 submarine class.