Sweden's Visby Class Frigates Shoot Down Small Drones in Capability Upgrade

Sweden’s navy has tested an upgraded sensor and weapons capability on its Visby class corvettes, enabling the ships to detect and shoot down very small drones at sea.

The work, carried out in 2025, focused on updating sensors so the corvettes can counter small drones using reconnaissance radar and guns. The upgrade allows detection of small targets and engagement at longer distances.

HMS Nyköping was the first vessel to complete sea trials. During testing, the ship shot down a very small drone from several kilometres away.

“HMS Nyköping has installed and verified upgrades to various sensors in a very short time. This has led to the ship increasing its operational ability to locate, track and ultimately combat vessels that could act as a threat to the unit,” said Captain Hugo, the ship’s commander.

The Swedish Navy said its ships are designed to counter threats such as anti-ship missiles and aircraft, but lessons from the war in Ukraine have highlighted the need to defend against smaller platforms, including drones.

The Visby class is the first in the fleet to receive the new capability. The navy plans to introduce it on other ship types. Sweden already operates electronic jamming systems to counter drones, officials said the new gun-based capability complements existing measures.

The upgrade was implemented through cooperation between the Swedish Armed Forces, the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and industry.