| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Kockums |
| Operators: | Swedish Navy |
| Preceded by: | Gotland |
| Planned: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1,900 long tons (1,930 t)[1] |
| Length: | 63 m (206 ft 8 in) [1] |
| Beam: | 6.4 m (21 ft 0 in) [1] |
| Draught: | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-electric and Stirling AIP[1] |
| Endurance: | 45 days (18 days underwater with AIP) |
| Test depth: | 200 m (656 ft 2 in) |
| Complement: | 17–26[1] |
| Armament: | 533 mm (21.0 in) Torpedo tubes 400 mm (15.7 in) Torpedo tubes Torped 62, mines A total payload of more than fifteen 53 cm weapons is possible |
A26 is the project name of the next generation of submarines developed by Kockums for the Swedish navy. First planned at the beginning of the 1990s, the project was called "U-båt 2000" and was intended to be ready by the late 1990s or early 2000. With the end of the Cold War the naval threat from the Soviet Union disappeared and the new submarine class was deemed unnecessary.[2] The project lay dormant for years until the mid-2000s when a replacement for the Södermanland class submarines became apparent.
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The new submarine project is intended to be an improved version of the Gotland class submarine, which will be considered obsolete around 2015–2017 according to Per Skantz, development co-ordinator at the Marine headquarters in Stockholm.[3] The submarine will displace 1,900 tonnes[1] and have a crew complement of between 17 and 31 men.[4] The 2008–2010 military budget memorandum to the Minister for Defence by the Supreme Commander Håkan Syrén would require the type to cost no more than the current Gotland class (about 1.5 billion SEK).[3] The new submarine will have Blue water capability, something earlier swedish submarines have lacked. It will be equipped with modified AIP stirling propulsion and GHOST (Genuine HOlistic STealth) technology, making the submarine extremely quiet. It will also be designed to withstand significant shock loads from underwater explosions and will be able to launch "Launch and recover vehicles" through its torpedo tubes.[5]
On 25 February 2010 Kockums AB signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) concerning overall of the design phase of the next-generation submarine. Kockums CEO, Ola Alfredsson, stated that "This is an important first step, not only for Kockums, but for the Swedish Armed Forces as a whole. We shall now be able to maintain our position at the cutting edge of submarine technology, which is vital in the light of current threat scenarios."[6][7]
The Norwegian Navy has shown interests in the project and may buy several submarines in the future. According to Kockums AB orders must be made by the end of 2010.[8][9]
On 11 April 2010 the Swedish Defence minister Sten Tolgfors announced plans of acquiring two new submarines to be commissioned in 2018-19 replacing the two submarines of the Södermanlands class. The plans also included a Mid-Life Upgrade program of two submarines of the Gotland class. Additional submarines could later be ordered to replace the Gotland class, however this will not be decided before 2020.[10][11]
On 16 June 2010 the Swedish Parliament authorised the government to procure two new submarines.[12][13]
The first submarine is planned to be laid down by the end of 2012.[14]