The Swedish Navy has been working to secure the next generation of attack submarines since the 1980s, when the Soviet Union remained a major threat to the region and the world. The service released U-bat 2000, led by local industry player Kockums, to help meet requirements by the end of the millennium. However, with the fall of the Soviet Empire in 1991, the need for such an expensive attack platform diminished, while its service in Southern Manland-class and Gotland-class diesel-electric vehicles would suffice for the foreseeable future.
However, with the arrival of these late 1980s/early 1990s designs, it is clear that new submarine designs are still in order, which in turn has revived interest in the next generation of submarine platforms.
By March 2015, the Swedish government had committed the company, now known as "A26", and intended to purchase two new, state-of-the-art diesel-electric attack platforms (Saab Kockums AB) built to the same standard by Saab Kockums AB group). The ships have a displacement of 1,930 tons, a length of 206.7 feet, a width of 21 feet, and a draft of 19.8 feet.
The diesel-electric propulsion system will use the Stirling API system for silent underwater operation, and the on-board store will allow the vessel to stay at sea for up to 45 days at a time before needing to refuel. The hull can sag to 655 feet and the crew will be between 20 and 30 people.
The proposed armament scheme is consistent with early modern Swedish submarine designs, mixing 4 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes with 2 x 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes (all facing the bow). If necessary, the ship will also be equipped with provisions for the transport of mines. It is also planned to support the 18-unit Vertical Launch System (VLS) to launch U.S.
Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The A26 will have a modular design at its core, allowing a single vessel structure to be adapted to the needs of the Swedish Navy while keeping operating costs to a minimum. The hull of a submarine consists of five main sections, including the bow, sails and three stern sections.
This allows each module to be built independently and tested, modified and/or replaced as needed, simply by reinserting the new/modified parts into the U-Boot design flow. As a result, submarines can be adapted to future needs, and thus are likely to be able to sustain long-term careers.
The acoustic signature of submarines has been given a lot of attention to help the submarine maintain its edge in spearfishing operations while minimizing long-term maintenance to reduce downtime for maintenance, repairs and reduce overhaul time. Additionally, attention is being paid to making the A26 a durable attack submarine capable of operating in deep water, thereby taking the Swedish fleet away from its usual coastal missions.
Notably, the submarine's bow has a multi-mission porthole that can accommodate a mini-submersible to provide an extended set of underwater "eyes" -- useful when assisting rescue operations or special forces.
From the outside, the ship has a conventional submarine layout. The sails are rather unique and flat in design and are located midship forward and contain the necessary sensors and communications equipment, as well as the diving aircraft. The empennage (including the rudder) is arranged aft in an "X" shape, in line with previous Swedish Navy submarine designs.
The multi-blade propeller assembly is located outside the tail.
The A26 has had a long and somewhat troublesome development history to date, mostly centered between logistical, industrial and political issues, at times different from the existing Swedish submarine fleet. The Swedish Navy plans to bring its two A26 submarines into service in or around 2022, and these will likely start their careers at the same time as the existing Gotland-class submarines.
The current (2017) Swedish submarine fleet consists of five ships (3 x Gotland class and 2 x Sondermanland class).
- Blue Water Operations
- Fleet Support
- Hunter
- direct attack
206.7 ft (63.00 m)
6.40m
6.00m
1,930 tons
2,400 tons
16 kn (18 mph)
22 knots (25.32 miles)
6,952 nautical miles (8,000 miles; 12,875 km)
Suggestions:
4 x 533mm (21") torpedo tubes
2 x 400mm (16") torpedo tubes
Possible support for Tomahawk cruise missiles in the 18-unit Vertical Launch System (VLS).
No.