The first of the Swedish Armed Forces' two new work vessels, HMS Sälen, has now been launched at the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo. The vessel forms part of the navy's forthcoming reinforcement in areas including torpedo recovery, underwater operations and logistics, according to a press release from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).
The vessel has now been moved from the shipyard's hull hall to the outfitting quay, where installation and verification work continues ahead of sea trials and delivery to FMV later in 2026. HMS Sälen will then be militarised at Hasslö Varv in Karlskrona (southern Sweden, naval base) before delivery to the Swedish Armed Forces in autumn 2027.
- The launch of this work vessel marks yet another important step in our work to strengthen the Swedish Armed Forces' long-term endurance at sea. HMS Sälen has been developed to support naval units with tasks including torpedo recovery, underwater operations and logistics, says Fredrik Lindén, head of the naval materiel division at FMV.
FMV signed a contract with the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon in spring 2024, as Nordic Defence Sector previously reported. The vessels will replace older work vessels and form part of a broader effort to modernise the navy's support and maintenance capability.
Production of the work vessels began in Spain in autumn 2024 through a so-called Start of Steel Cutting ceremony. At that time, FMV stated that the project encompasses improved logistics capability, diving capacity and support for naval base battalions and military bases.
- The on-site presence has been crucial to the project's progress. Through our site office, we can follow the construction on a daily basis, make decisions quickly and resolve technical issues directly together with the shipyard, says Susanne Nordman, project manager for the procurement of the work vessels.
The second vessel in the class, HMS Tumlaren, is currently under construction and is planned for delivery to FMV in 2027 and to the Swedish Armed Forces the following year.
The work vessels are approximately 50 metres in length, weigh around 1,000 tonnes and are being built for tasks including torpedo recovery, logistics support, underwater operations and diving activities.