Saab relaunches third and final Gotland-class boat after mid-life upgrade

The Swedish submarine HMS Halland was relaunched after a comprehensive mid-life upgrade at Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona on 13 February 2025.

Originally commissioned in October 1997, HMS Halland is the third and final Gotland (A 19)-class submarine in the Swedish Navy to undergo the upgrade, which includes new technologies and systems of the same type that will be used in Sweden’s future Blekinge (A 26)-class submarines.

During the modification more than 20 of the central systems in HMS Halland were replaced, including sensors and command systems. These systems are the same as those that will be used in the Blekinge class.

The upgrade means that HMS Halland will be able to carry out maritime missions for many years to come with new capabilities, alongside sister submarines HMS Gotland and HMS Uppland, which have previously undergone similar mid-life modifications.

The first of two Blekinge-class submarines is not expected to be delivered before 2027, but these boats will replace the Swedish Navy’s Södermanland-class submarines, of which one remains in operation.

“Securing critical underwater infrastructure and sea lanes is more important than ever,” Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s Kockums business area, was quoted as saying in a Saab press release. “The launch of HMS Halland is a testament to Saab’s ability to upgrade and deliver advanced submarines with the capabilities the Swedish Navy requires. With HMS Halland, the Swedish Navy, and by extension NATO, is given additional muscle to defend and monitor the Baltic Sea.”

The ability of the Gotland-class boats to operate covertly with great endurance make them a valuable asset in the Baltic Sea, where the layered waters make it particularly difficult to detect submarines.