HMS Härnösand has departed Naval Base Berga (eastern Sweden) for Karlskrona (southern Sweden), where the corvette will undergo modernisation and become the first Visby-class vessel to be equipped with Air Defence Missile System 31. The Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) states that the upgrade represents one of the most significant capability leaps for the vessel class since it entered service.
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, an air defence capability was included in the original concept during the development of the Visby-class corvettes, but is only now being realised.
"The air defence capability has conceptually been part of the vessel type since its development phase, but has for various reasons never been fully realised. The modernisation of the Visby class now represents an important step towards fulfilling the original vision for the Visby-type corvette," says Lieutenant Commander Birger Axelsson, commanding officer of HMS Härnösand.
The modernisation encompasses the integration of Air Defence Missile System 31, verification and sea trials before the vessel returns to operational service. The new air defence capability will also contribute to closer cooperation between naval and air forces through joint air defence command and air coordination.
"The introduction of Air Defence Missile System 31 therefore not only adds a new capability to the navy, but also deepens cooperation between naval and air forces further. In this work, air coordination between naval and air forces will be of particular importance and will form a key part of future development," says Birger Axelsson.
The Swedish Armed Forces also highlights that the experience gained through the introduction of Air Defence Missile System 31 will be of significance ahead of the introduction of Sweden's future frigates, including in areas such as air defence command, tactics development, training, and integration with other parts of the Swedish Armed Forces.
The modernisation of the Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor air defence missile system has been under way since the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract in 2023 with MBDA for delivery of the system. Subsequently, Saab was awarded the contract to integrate Sea Ceptor across all five Visby-class corvettes, while Sweden has expanded its order with additional CAMM missiles. Nordic Defence Sector has previously reported on all stages of the project.