Frigate or corvette? The new surface combatant expanding Sweden’s strategic horizons
An artist's impression of the new NGSS Luleå-class warships for the RSwN. The surface combatants will allow the RSwN to more effectively participate in NATO naval exercises and contribute to sea control operations beyond the Baltic Sea. (Image: Saab)
With the new Luleå-class vessel, the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) will have a class of modern capital ship that could provide a wide range of naval capabilities that it has not had before, contributing to the shaping of Sweden’s role in NATO and allowing it to perform new missions.
Sweden’s programme for four new Luleå-class ships has completed the first stage of the Product Definition Phase in 2023 and the second stage has been initiated. It has not been made clear, however, if they will be frigates or corvettes.
The Luleå-class vessels being built for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) under the Next Generation Surface Ship (NGSS) project started in 2020 with a project definition phase run by the Swedish defence procurement organisation, FMV.
A spokesperson from the FMV told Shephard that it did not refer to the Luleå-class as either a frigate or corvette, but said that the project had
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
-
![Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (podcast)]()
Defending the Fleet: Naval air defence in the drone era (podcast)
In an era of swarming drones, proliferating missiles and saturation attacks, naval air defence must combine cutting-edge effectiveness with low cost per intercept. Israel’s Rafael is applying its long expertise to help navies adapt to emerging threats, while looking to a future of laser technology – and beyond.
