With a symbolic fireworks display, the Visby corvette HMS Härnösand recently left the naval port of Berga for transport to the shipyard in Karlskrona, where she will be modernized and equipped with an anti-aircraft missile system, among other things.
For the Visby corvettes, the introduction of Anti-Aircraft Missile System 31 means one of the biggest leaps in capability since the ship type entered service.
“The air defense capability has conceptually been present since the development phase of the ship type, but for various reasons has never been fully realized. With the modernization of the Visby class, an important step is now being taken towards realizing the original vision for the Visby corvette,” says Naval Captain Birger Axelsson, Commander HMS Härnösand.
Great importance for the Armed Forces
The importance of a developed air defense capability extends far beyond the navy. Modern air defense is not about individual weapon systems, but about the ability to bring together sensors, command and control systems and weapons from several branches of defense into a common system.
“The introduction of Anti-Aircraft Missile System 31 therefore means not only that the Navy will be provided with a new capability, but also that the cooperation between the naval and air forces will be further deepened. In this work, air coordination between naval and air forces will be of particular importance and constitute an important part of the development going forward,” says Birger Axelsson.
After the crew has emptied the parts of the ship affected by the rebuilding, the shipyard has now started full speed ahead with the project. To mark the start of the project, the shipyard organized an event where representatives from SAAB, FM and the ship manager gave speeches.
“A lot of the coming year will be about technology, integration, verification and test drives. But fundamentally, this project is about people and that together we will complete this project. For our crew, it means the beginning of new collaborations and new experiences. We look forward to getting to know our colleagues here in Karlskrona, at Saab, FMV and other players who will be part of the work in the future,” says Birger Axelsson and continues:
“I would also like to extend a big thank you for the warm reception we received on arrival from both the shipyard and the Third Naval Combat Wing and the Naval Base. The support offered by the latter two is invaluable for those of us who do not normally have Karlskrona as our home port.
Valuable experience
Experience gained through the introduction of Anti-Aircraft Missile System 31 on the Visby corvettes will be very valuable when the future frigates are introduced. For the first time in a long time, the Navy will have the opportunity to rebuild expertise in ship-based air defense, which will be of great importance when the surface combat ships of the future are put into service.
“Although the systems will differ to some extent, the expertise in air defense command, air coordination, tactics development, training and integration with other parts of the Armed Forces will also be directly relevant in the future,” says Birger Axelsson.