Saab to Equip Sweden’s Visby-Class Stealth Corvettes with Sea Ceptor Air Defence System

Swedish defence company Saab has secured a major contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to upgrade the country’s Visby-class corvettes with the state-of-the-art Sea Ceptor air defence system. This significant step is part of Sweden’s broader naval modernization programme and is valued at approximately SEK 1.6 billion (around $166 million).

The Sea Ceptor system, developed by MBDA, will be integrated into all five Visby-class stealth corvettes, boosting their air and missile defence capabilities dramatically. These enhancements are aimed at increasing the operational flexibility of the Swedish Navy and strengthening its ability to defend against modern aerial threats across longer distances and over larger operational zones.

According to Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s Kockums business unit, “This modification strengthens both Sweden’s and NATO’s air and missile defence by increasing the Swedish Armed Forces’ operational capability and ability to operate across the entire conflict spectrum. With the air defence system on board, the Visby-class corvettes will continue to be a vital platform for many years to come.”

Why This Matters

The Visby-class ships are renowned for their stealth technology and are among the most advanced corvettes in the world. Outfitting them with the Sea Ceptor system will greatly enhance Sweden’s ability to defend its maritime borders and participate in joint NATO defence efforts, especially amid rising global security challenges.

Sea Ceptor uses the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) to protect naval vessels against multiple simultaneous airborne threats, including combat aircraft and precision-guided munitions. It offers a 360-degree coverage and a high rate of fire against multiple targets, making it a modern and powerful upgrade over existing systems.

Timeline and Background

FMV had already signed an earlier agreement with MBDA for the delivery of CAMMs. Saab’s role now is to integrate this system into the Visby-class corvettes. The installation and integration work is expected to commence in early 2026.

This decision is part of a long-term plan set in motion by the Swedish government as early as 2020, when they approved the concept of adding an air defence system to the Visby fleet. The process gained momentum in 2023 when MBDA signed a deal to provide the necessary missile components.

About the Visby-Class Corvettes

Built between 2000 and 2009 by Saab’s Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona, the Visby-class consists of five versatile corvettes designed for multi-role naval operations such as anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), escort duties, and mine countermeasures.

Key Features of Visby-Class Corvettes:

• Length: 73 meters

• Displacement: 640 tons

• Top Speed: ~35 knots

• Crew: 43

• Propulsion: Diesel engines and gas turbines powering water jets

• Primary Armaments: Bofors 57 mm stealth gun, RBS 15 Mk II anti-ship missiles, Torped 45 submarine torpedoes

• Sensors: Advanced radars (Sea GIRAFFE AMB, Ceros 200), sonar systems (hull-mounted, towed array, and variable depth)

Their revolutionary stealth design minimizes radar, visual, infrared, and acoustic signatures. From concealed missile launchers to a hidden main gun turret, these ships are crafted to avoid detection while delivering a powerful punch.

Although three of the five ships can accommodate helicopters for landing, takeoff, and refueling, they do not have hangars for long-term storage.

The Strategic Importance

Integrating the Sea Ceptor system aligns with Sweden’s increasing focus on modernizing its armed forces and contributing more actively to regional and NATO security. The enhanced corvettes will be capable of providing robust protection for Sweden’s territorial waters and critical naval missions.

This development ensures that the Visby-class corvettes, already considered a symbol of Sweden’s naval innovation, will remain relevant and capable well into the future.