View source for Visby-class corvette

{{Short description|Swedish stealth missile corvettes}}
{{Other ships|Visby-class destroyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = K32 HMS Helsingborg Anchored-of-Gotska-Sandoen cropped.jpg|
| Ship caption = HSwMS ''Helsingborg'' off Gotska Sandön
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Visby'' class
| Builders = [[Kockums]]
| Operators = {{navy|Sweden}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Göteborg|corvette|4}}
| Class after = {{sclass|Luleå|corvette|4}}
| Subclasses = 
| Built range = 
| In commission range = 16 December 2009
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 6
| Total ships completed = 5
| Total ships cancelled = 1
| Total ships active = 5
| Total ships laid up = 
| Cost = US$184&nbsp;million<ref name=bbc1>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3724219.stm | title = Stealth ships steam ahead | date = 10 June 2004| first = Chris | last = Summers | work = BBC News |access-date=4 April 2015 }}</ref>
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Corvette]]
| Ship displacement = 640&nbsp;tonnes
| Ship length = {{convert|72.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|10.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|2.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *[[Combined diesel or gas|CODOG]]
*2 × 125SII [[Kamewa Waterjets]]
*4 × [[Honeywell T55| Vericor TF50A]] [[gas turbine]]s, total rating 16&nbsp;MW<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vericor.com/pdf/marine_tfseries_datasheet.pdf |title=TF Series Marine Gas Turbine Engines - 4000 to 5600 Hp |publisher=Vericor |access-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043807/http://www.vericor.com/pdf/marine_tfseries_datasheet.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2 × [[MTU Friedrichshafen]] 16&nbsp;V 2000 N90 [[diesel engine]]s, total rating 2.6&nbsp;MW
*3 × generators of 270kW each
| Ship speed = {{convert|35|kn|lk=in}}+
| Ship range = {{convert|2500|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship complement = 43
| Ship sensors = * [[Saab Group|Saab]] [[9LV]] combat management system
* Saab [[GIRAFFE Radar#Sea GIRAFFE|Sea GIRAFFE]] AMB 3D [[Passive electronically scanned array|PESA]] surveillance radar
* Saab [[CEROS 200 Fire Control Radar|Ceros 200]] stealth [[fire control radar]] system
* [[Condor CS-3701]] [[Electronic Surveillance Measures|tactical radar surveillance system]]
* GDC [[sonar|Hull-mounted sonar]]
* Hydroscience Technologies [[towed array sonar|towed array sonar system]]
* GDC variable depth sonar
| Ship EW = [[Rheinmetall]] [[Multi Ammunition Softkill System|TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System)]]
| Ship armament = *1 × [[Bofors 57 mm L/70 naval artillery gun|Bofors {{cvt|57|mm}} Mk3]] gun
*8 × [[RBS15|RBS15 Mk2]] [[anti-ship missile]]s
*4 × {{cvt|400|mm}} [[Torpedo tube|torpedo launchers]] for [[Torped 45]] torpedoes
*[[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]] anti-air missiles
*ASW {{cvt|127|mm}} rocket-powered grenade launchers
* [[Naval mine|Mines]] and [[depth charge]]s
| Ship armour = 
| Ship aircraft = 
| Ship aircraft facilities = [[AgustaWestland AW109|AW109]] helicopter pad
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''''Visby'' class''' is a series of [[corvette]]s in use by the [[Swedish Navy]]. It is the latest class of corvette adopted by the navy after the {{sclass|Göteborg|corvette|5}}- and {{sclass|Stockholm|corvette|0}} corvettes. Its design emphasizes low visibility [[radar cross-section]] and [[Infrared homing|infrared signature]], and the class has received widespread international attention because of its capabilities as a [[stealth ship]]. The first ship in the class is named after [[Visby]], the main city on the island of [[Gotland]].

The ''Visby'' ships are designed by [[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]] (FMV) and built by [[Kockums AB|Saab Kockums AB]] in [[Karlskrona]].<ref name="BenMackWired">{{cite magazine|last=Mack |first=Ben |title=Sweden Builds World's First Stealth Ships |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications]] |date=2009-02-12 |url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/sweden-build-wo.html |access-date=2009-02-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213231525/http://blog.wired.com//cars//2009//02//sweden-build-wo.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref> The first ship of the class was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] in 2000, but production then suffered repeated delays. The fifth and final ship was delivered in 2015.

==Design==
The hull is constructed with a sandwich design consisting of a [[PVC]] core with a [[carbon fibre]] and [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] [[laminate]]<ref name="NTCOM">{{cite web |title=Visby Class Corvettes, Sweden |work=naval-technology.com |publisher=SPG Media Limited |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/visby/|access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> (see also the [[Oceanic-Creations]] spin-off). There are multiple advantages to using [[composite material]]s in ship hulls. Good conductivity and surface flatness mean a low [[radar signature]], while good heat insulation lowers the [[infrared signature]] and increases survivability in case of fire. The composite sandwich used is also non-magnetic, which lowers the magnetic signature. Composites are also very strong for their relative weight, and less weight means a higher top speed and better maneuverability. The composite weighs roughly 50% less than the equivalent strength steel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Visby Class Corvette|publisher=Saab Group|date=2014 |url=http://www.saabgroup.com/en/Naval/Kockums-Naval-Solutions/Naval-Surface-Ships/Visby-Class-Corvette/|access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref>

''Visby''{{'}}s angular [[tumblehome]] design reduces its radar signature. Jan Nilsson, one of the designers, told BBC News Online: "We are able to reduce the radar cross-section by 99%. That doesn't mean it's 99% invisible, it means that we have reduced its detection range."<ref name=bbc1/> The 57&nbsp;mm cannon barrel can be folded into the turret to reduce its cross-section.

==History==

=== ''Visby'' ''Generation 1'' ===

==== Background ====
Much of the design was based on the experiences learned from the experimental ship {{HSwMS|Smyge}}. The class was originally designed to be divided into two subcategories where the last ship was optimized for surface combat and 4 others for submarine hunting; however, this was changed due to cutbacks.

A helicopter, such as the [[AgustaWestland AW109|Agusta Westland A109M]] selected by Sweden, can land, take off, and refuel on the upper deck. A helicopter hangar was originally planned but was considered to be too cramped and was removed.

==== Production ====
[[File:K31 HSwMS Visby (8643087399).jpg|thumb|HSwMS ''Visby'']]The ships took an exceptionally long time from launch to delivery and the construction has been fraught with repeated delays. In 2008, the only weapons system that had been integrated and tested in ''[[HSwMS Visby (K31)|Visby]]'' [[HSwMS Visby (K31)|(K31)]] was the gun.

Finally, on 16 December 2009, the next two of the corvettes, the [[HSwMS Helsingborg (K32)|K32]] and the [[HSwMS Härnösand (K33)|K33]], were delivered to the Swedish Navy by the [[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]] (known as the FMV, or Försvarets materielverk).<ref>{{cite web|title = Visby corvettes delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces|publisher = [[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]]|date=2009-12-21|url = http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=4987 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100818154502/http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=4987 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2010-08-18 |access-date = 2010-02-02}}</ref> The two ships were equipped with underwater and surface/air sensors fully integrated. However, the only weapon that had been integrated and test-fired on the ships was still the [[57 Mk3|Bofors 57 Mk3]] gun. It is known as the standard 4 by the FMV.

The standard 5 of the class was the one where the mine clearance systems, the helicopter landing capability, the anti-ship missiles and some additional stealth adaptation were implemented. The ''[[HSwMS Visby (K31)|Visby]]'' [[HSwMS Visby (K31)|(K31)]] was the first of the corvettes to be upgraded to standard 5. On 22 March 2012, the FMV reported that the ship had been modified and that the system would be tested before reentering the Swedish Navy by the end of 2012.<ref>{{Citation|publisher=FMV |title=Visby upgrades |url=http://www.fmv.se/sv/Nyheter-och-press/Nyheter-fran-FMV/Visby-uppgraderas/ |language=sv |place=SE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327150621/http://www.fmv.se/sv/Nyheter-och-press/Nyheter-fran-FMV/Visby-uppgraderas/ |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }}</ref>

Although the design of the ships originally called for the installation of surface-to-air missiles, on 18 September 2008 the [[Genomförandegruppen]] cancelled the project to rationalize the procurement of defence materiel for the Swedish defence.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10209/a/111475 | publisher = Regeringen | title = Effektivisering av försvarsmaterielförsörjningen - omprövning av materielprojekt | language = sv | date = 18 September 2008 | place = SE | access-date = 4 April 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150409103055/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10209/a/111475 | archive-date = 9 April 2015 }}.</ref>

==== Mid-life upgrade ====
In January 2021, the [[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]] (FMV) and Saab signed a contract for the ''Product Definition Phase'' of a mid-life upgrade of the ''Visby'' class. An additional item of the contract involved the ''Product Definition Phase'' of the ''Visby Generation 2'' corvettes. The contract had a value of <small>SEK</small> 190 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Saab Signs Two Contracts for Next Generation Corvettes for Sweden |url=https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/saab-signs-two-contracts-for-next-generation-corvettes-for-sweden |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Start |language=en}}</ref> The primary objective of this MLU is to extend its operational capacity and relevance beyond 2040. In that regard, the following aspects were decided:<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Två nya kontrakt för Visbykorvetter |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/tva-nya-kontrakt-for-visbykorvetter/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.fmv.se |language=sv}}</ref>

* Modifications of the systems of the ships.
* Adding an air defence capability.
* Add the capability to operate the [[RBS 15|RBS 15 Mk3]] as new anti-ship missile
* Add the capability to operate the [[Torped 47]] (Saab Lightweight Torpedo)

In November 2023, the Swedish Navy ordered the [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]] (also known as Sea Ceptor) for the air-defence missiles that it wanted added to the ship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Felstead |first=Peter |date=2023-11-17 |title=Sweden orders CAMM air defence missiles for Visby-class corvettes - European Security & Defence |url=https://euro-sd.com/2023/11/major-news/35111/sweden-orders-camm-missiles/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2023-11-16 |title=Sweden orders CAMM air defence missile for Visby Corvettes |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/sweden-orders-camm-air-defence-missile-for-visby-corvettes/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2025, the Swedish Navy selected the Extensible Launching System (ExLS) as vertical launching system for the CAMM missiles. This system is provided by [[Lockheed Martin]] and is based on the [[Mark 41 vertical launching system|Mk41 VLS]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2025-04-14 |title=Sweden’s Stealthy Visby Corvettes Getting Mk 41 Based Vertical Launch Systems For Air Defense Missiles |url=https://www.twz.com/sea/swedens-stealthy-visby-corvettes-getting-mk-41-based-vertical-launch-systems-for-air-defense-missiles |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> Each ExLS is composed of three cells, the same as on the Mk41. Three ExLS will be installed on each ''Visby'' class ship, for a total of 9 cells. Four CAMM missile can be installed in each cell of the ExLS, packaged in quad packs. This leads to a capacity of 36 CAMM missiles per ship.<ref name=":1" />

In May 2025, the Swedish Navy announced that the start of the air-defence upgrade of the ships would be for 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Richard |date=2025-05-28 |title=Sweden to begin Visby corvette air defence upgrade from 2026 |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/sweden-to-begin-visby-corvette-air-defence-upgrade-from-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> Saab won the contract for this operation, and it is valued at <small>SEK</small> 1.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2025-05-28 |title=Saab wins contract to integrate Sea Ceptor system on Visby-class corvettes |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/05/saab-wins-contract-to-integrate-sea-ceptor-system-on-visby-class-corvettes/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== ''Visby Generation 2'' ===

==== Programme initiation ====
In January 2021, the [[Swedish Defence Materiel Administration]] (FMV) and Saab signed a contract for the ''Product Definition Phase'' of a mid-life upgrade of the ''Visby'' class. An additional item of the contract involved the ''Product Definition Phase'' of the ''Visby Generation 2'' corvettes. The contract had a value of <small>SEK</small> 190 million.<ref name=":0" />

In September 2021, some more information were shared by the FMV about this new generation. One expectation was to use proven systems, and that the corvette had a capacity to evolve, with systems capable to be integrated in a simple way. One operational requirement was that every system and equipment could be maintained in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nya ytstridsfartyg |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/nya-ytstridsfartyg/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.fmv.se |language=sv}}</ref>

==== Cancellation ====
In November 2022, the supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces, General [[Micael Bydén]], published his recommendations for how the armed forces should grow over the coming years at the request of the Swedish government. This included the recommendation that the ''Visby'' Gen 2 corvettes should be equipped with longer-range surface-to-air missiles than those which will be used on the "Visby Gen 1" in order for the ships to be able to act as part of [[NATO]] integrated air and missile defences. Further recommendations included modifications to the ships to increase their interoperability with both NATO's standing maritime groups and the [[Joint Expeditionary Force]].<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |date=2021-01-25 |title=Saab Signs Two Contracts for Next Generation Corvettes for Sweden |url=https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/saab-signs-two-contracts-for-next-generation-corvettes-for-sweden |publisher=Saab}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |last=Blenkey |first=Nick |date=2021-01-25 |title=Sweden moves ahead on next-generation Visby corvettes |url=https://www.marinelog.com/news/sweden-moves-ahead-on-next-generation-visby-corvettes/ |work=MarineLog |publisher=Simmons-Boardman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Karremann |first=Jaime |title=Zweden werkt aan vloot van de toekomst: Visby's krijgen raketten en studies nieuwe onderzeeboten gestart |url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Zweden-werkt-aan-vloot-van-de-toekomst-240622.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Marineschepen.nl}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Försvarsmakten |title=Ytterligare resurser krävs för att klara den militära tillväxten |url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2022/11/ytterligare-resurser-kravs-for-att-klara-den-militara-tillvaxten/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Försvarsmakten |language=sv}}</ref>

==== Replacement ====
In February 2023, following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Sweden decided to reconsider its naval format and to cancel the ''Visby Generation 2''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=Försämrat säkerhetsläge stoppar utvecklingen av nya Visbykorvetter |url=https://www.blt.se/2023-02-15/forsamrat-sakerhetslage-stoppar-utvecklingen-av-nya-visbykorvetter/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Blekinge Läns Tidning |language=sv}}</ref> Its adhesion to NATO and the need for more capable platforms let to the decision to cancel the ship in favour of a clean sheet larger design. 

As of June 2023, more details of a new class of corvettes, the [[Luleå-class corvette|''Luleå'' class]] were shared by the Ministery of Defence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2023-06-24 |title=Sweden's Future Surface Combatant to be known as Luleå-class |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/06/swedens-future-surface-combatant-to-be-known-as-lulea-class/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref> And in 2024, Babcock and Saab began their collaboration on the design of the class.

== Units ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Number
!Ship name
!Laid down
!Launched
!Commissioned
!Service
!Status
!Coat of arms
|-
|K31
|{{HSwMS|Visby|K31|2}}
|17 February 1995
|8 June 2000
|16 September 2002
|[[3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla (Sweden)|3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla]]
|Active
|[[File:HMS Visby vapen, korvett.svg|center|40px]]
|-
|K32
|{{HSwMS|Helsingborg|K32|2}}
|
|27 June 2003
|16 December 2009
|[[4th Naval Warfare Flotilla (Sweden)|4th Naval Warfare Flotilla]]
|Active
|[[File:HMS Helsingborg vapen.svg|center|40px]]
|-
|K33
|{{HSwMS|Härnösand|K33|2}}
|
|16 December 2004
|16 December 2009
|[[4th Naval Warfare Flotilla (Sweden)|4th Naval Warfare Flotilla]]
|Active
|[[File:HMS Härnösand vapen.svg|center|40px]]
|-
|K34
|{{HSwMS|Nyköping|K34|2}}
|
|18 August 2005
|16 September 2015
|[[3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla (Sweden)|3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla]]
|Active
|[[File:HMS Nyköping vapen.svg|center|40px]]
|-
|K35
|{{HSwMS|Karlstad|K35|2}}
|
|24 August 2006
|16 September 2015
|[[3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla (Sweden)|3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla]]
|Active
|[[File:HMS Karlstad vapen.svg|center|40px]]
|-
|K36
|''Uddevalla''
| colspan="5" align="center" | Cancelled
|[[File:HMS Uddevalla vapen.svg|center|40px]]
|}

All systems for the ship ''Uddevalla'' were acquired, but the ship was later cancelled.

==Similar ships==
* {{sclass|Tuo Chiang|corvette|1}} ([[Taiwan]])
* {{sclass|Baynunah|corvette|1}} ([[United Arab Emirates]])
* {{sclass|Hamina|missile boat|1}} ([[Finland]])
* [[Type 022 missile boat]] ([[China]])
* [[MILGEM project|Milgem-class corvette]] ([[Turkey]])
* {{sclass|Skjold|corvette|1}} ([[Norway]])
* [[Independence-class littoral mission vessel]] ([[Singapore]])

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:K33_HMS_Haernosand_Karlskrona_Marindagen2008.jpg|''Härnösand'' at [[Karlskrona]] Naval Base.
File:HMS_Helsingborg_2.jpg|''Helsingborg'' visiting [[Helsingborg|her namesake]].
File:K32 hms helsingborg stockholm 2008-11-16.jpg|''Helsingborg'' in Stockholm City.
File:NATO ships take part in BALTOPS 20 MOD 45167293.jpg|''Karlstad'' with British Merlin helicopter during [[BALTOPS]] 20
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Visby-class corvette}}
*[https://saab.com/naval/submarines-and-surface-ships/surface-ships/visby-class-corvette/ Official builder's homepage] (as of 2018) 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004941/http://www.marinen.mil.se/visby/index.php?lang=sve&c=press Swedish navy page on the Visby trials] {{in lang|sv}}
*[http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/visby/ Naval-Technology] - www.naval-technology.com

{{Visby class corvette}}
{{ActiveSwedishNavyClasses}}
{{Kockums Naval Solutions}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Corvette classes]]
[[Category:Corvettes of Sweden| ]]
[[Category:Visby-class corvettes| ]]
[[Category:Stealth ships]]