HMS Gävle with a new edge
HMS Gävle was handed over to the Swedish Navy’s 4th Flotilla on Wednesday after a Mid-Life Upgrade. The upgrade includes several new systems that all-in-all strengthens the navy’s capability in combat under water, among other areas.
“It is a do over and modernisation of everything on board: She will have the same hull, but more or less all the systems on the inside are new, said Johan Edelsvärd", Project Manager for the Mid-Life Upgrade of HMS Gävle at FMV.
The modernisation has been carried out at Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona and is the largest change the ship has gone through during her lifetime. In parallel, her sister-ship HMS Sundsvall is going through the same modifications and will be delivered in 2022.
“The Flotilla welcomes HMS Gävle and her crew back to service. The ship will now be able to contribute to the navy’s ongoing maritime surveillance tasaks. The ship and crew and will play an important part in the Navy’s active defence", said Jon Wikingsson, Chief of the Swedish Navy’s 4th Flotilla.
Facts HMS Gävle Mid-Life Upgrade
The modernisation of HMS Gävle includes a number of new systems. The vessel will have, among other things, a new torpedo guidance system, a new all-purpose gun (57 mm. Mk3B) and a modified variable depth sonar (VDS), all integrated with a new Combat Management System. The ship has also been equipped with a new radar system together with an integrated IFF-system. The radar system is a 3D radar system that measures bearing, distance and elevation similar to the one in use on the Visby class corvettes.
- 57 m long
- 8 m wide
- draft of c.2.5 m
- displacement of c.430 tons.
- Three water jet propulsion engines with a total of 10,300 horsepower
- Speed of c.30 knots.
The Mid-Life Upgrade means that the vessel has an estimated service life that extends at least six years after delivery.