Sweden has been a formal member of NATO since March 2024 and is actively involved in the Alliance’s operations.
One of its most visible contributions is the rapid deployment of military forces to Latvia.
A little over a month after Sweden’s parliament approved the decision, a battalion of 500 Swedish soldiers arrived in Riga’s port, reports WP.
Sweden also pledged to support the Baltic Sentry mission, which protects maritime infrastructure, such as underwater cables, from acts of sabotage by Russia and China.
The Swedish Navy has also stepped up its role in NATO’s Baltic operations. The guided missile corvette HSwMS Visby (K31) was sent to join a NATO task force patrolling the Baltic Sea.
This ship is the first of five Visby-class corvettes commissioned between 2002 and 2015.
When the Visby-class ships were introduced, they stood out for their futuristic design. These stealth ships were developed based on earlier experiments, including the Swedish missile boat Smyge.
At 73 meters long, the Visby-class corvettes are compact but powerful. Each ship displaces 650 tons and has a crew of 43.
They are equipped with water jet propulsion systems that allow them to reach speeds of up to 35 knots.
Despite their size, the Visby corvettes carry formidable weaponry. They are armed with eight RBS15 anti-ship missile launchers, two torpedo tubes, and a 57 mm cannon.
They also feature a helicopter landing pad, though they lack a hangar to station a helicopter onboard.
Initially, plans included a short-range anti-aircraft system, but this was not installed. The ships also lack anti-submarine capabilities, which limits their roles.
These shortcomings are being addressed through a mid-life upgrade. The upgrades will add anti-submarine torpedoes and vertical missile launchers for CAMM/CAMM-ER or RIM-162 ESSM air defense systems.
While the Visby-class remains the backbone of Sweden’s surface fleet, the country is preparing for the future.
Sweden plans to introduce larger Lulea-class corvettes, with hulls over 100 meters long.
These multi-role ships are expected to enter service in the next decade and will significantly enhance Sweden’s naval power.
