Swedish Navy Receives Modernized A19 Submarine HSwMS Gotland

The Swedish Navy (Svenska Marinen) has taken the delivery of A19 Submarine HSwMS Gotland following a series of upgrades including new air independent propulsion (AIP) and combat systems.

“HMS Gotland is now the most modern, quietest and most efficient submarine in the Baltic and the North Sea. Yesterday, the Swedish Armed Forces and the First Submarine Fleet received the improved submarine from Saab Kockum's and the Swedish Defense Force's materiel plant,” Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) said in a statement on May 15.

The modernized boat now has a Stirling AIP system upgraded from Mk2 to the new Mk3, combat system similar to the one Blekinge-class (A26) next-generation submarines will receive, a complete new mast suite by Safran, Kongsberg’s SA9510S sonar and Exelis’ ES-3701 electronic warfare (EW) systems as well as new management, sensor and communication systems, besides extension of the submarine’s hull by adding a 2-meter section.

“The modifications include a new ship surveillance system, a new combat and fire management system, diving locks and more modern Stirling engines. This means that the submarines are even quieter, making it harder to hunt and fight,” the military said.

Three Gotland-class submarines: HSwMS Gotland, HSwMS Uppland and HSwMS Halland, were commissioned in the late 1990s.

First two of these boats have concluded comprehensive mid-life upgrades (MLU). “HMS Gotland is the first of two Gotland submarines that have undergone half-time modification. The other is HMS Uppland, which will soon be ready for delivery,” the statement read.

There is also an option for the modernization and upgrade of the third submarine.

“Modification of the two Gotland submarines represents a major step towards the next generation of submarines in the Swedish Armed Forces, which goes under the designation A26,” the military added.