Södermanland-class submarine

The Swedish Södermanland class of diesel-electric submarines consists of HSwMS Södermanland and HSwMS Östergötland. These two submarines were originally launched as Västergötland-class submarines in 1987 and 1990, and were relaunched as a new class after extensive modernization in 2003 and 2004 by Kockums AB. The pressure hull had been cut in two after the sail and a 12 m (39 ft 4 in) long new section with an air-independent propulsion system was inserted. It contains two Stirling engines which are coupled to electric generators and heated by burning diesel fuel with liquid oxygen stored in cryogenic tanks. The AIP system can provide electric energy to extend the submarine's submerged time from days to weeks.

HSwMS Södermanland at sea
Class overview
NameSödermanland class
BuildersKockums
Operators Swedish Navy
Preceded byNäcken class
Succeeded byGotland class
In commission1989–present
Planned4
Completed2
Cancelled2
Active1
Retired1
General characteristics
DisplacementSubmerged: 1,500 t (1,500 long tons; 1,700 short tons)
Length60.5 m (198 ft 6 in)
Beam6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Draft5.6 m (18 ft 4 in)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Hedemora Diesel-electric engines
  • 2 × Kockums v4-275R Stirling AIP units
SpeedSubmerged: 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement24
Sensors and
processing systems
FAS
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes
  • 3 × 400 mm (15.7 in) torpedo tubes
  • Mines

As of 2023, Södermanland is planned to remain in service until at least 2024-25 when it was to be replaced by the future Blekinge-class submarines.[1][2] However, the Östergötland was decommissioned in 2021, and is in material reserve.[3]

Two submarines of similar design, known as the Archer class are in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Units

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Ship name Laid down Launched Commissioned Service Status
Södermanland 12 April 1988 21 April 1989 1st Submarine Flotilla Refitted 2003, Active[citation needed]; underwent life-extension and re-launched in 2024 allowing for service until 2030[4]
Östergötland 9 December 1988 1989 1st Submarine Flotilla Refitted 2004, Decommissioned 2021

References

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  1. ^ Karlberg, Lars Anders (12 April 2010). "Tolgfors beställer nya ubåtar och nya helikoptrar" (in Swedish). NyTeknik. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Saab, FMV, renegotiate A 26 submarine contract as costs rise, schedule slips". Janes.com. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  3. ^ "HMS SÖDERMANLAND" (in Swedish). Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  4. ^ "Swedish Submarine Södermanland Re-Launched Following Lifetime Extension". 15 July 2024.
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