Saab completes HMS Uppland upgrade
The Swedish Navy’s HMS Uppland has been relaunched following a comprehensive mid-life upgrade (MLU) carried out by Saab.
HMS Uppland was designed and built by Kockums in Malmö and commissioned in 1997. The MLU consists of modifications, replacement and upgrades of on-board systems and technologies, sustaining the submarine’s operability for the navy.
The upgrade process saw the submarine cut in two with many vital systems fitted, including the Stirling AIP, a complete new mast suite, sonars and sensors as well as management and communication systems.
This is the second of the Gotland class boats to undergo the upgrade, with HMS Gotland already completed.
More than 20 new systems on-board the new Gotland-class will be implemented in the the upcoming A26 Blekinge class.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.