Saab has been awarded a contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to equip the Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor air defense system from MBDA. This upgrade, valued at approximately SEK 1.6 billion, will significantly enhance Sweden’s and NATO’s air defence capabilities. The order for Saab is part of FMV’s long-term plan to maintain and modernise the five Visby-class corvettes. This new naval air defense system allows for protection of a considerably larger area and the engagement of air targets at longer ranges compared to the existing weapon systems currently on board the vessels. FMV has previously placed an order for the Sea Ceptor air defense system with MBDA. Saab’s work on modifying the Visby-class corvettes and installing the system will begin in early 2026.
“This modification strengthens both Sweden’s and NATO’s air and missile defense by increasing the Swedish Armed Forces’ operational capability and ability to operate across the entire conflict spectrum. With the air defense system on board, the Visby-class corvettes will continue to be a vital platform for many years to come,” says Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s business area Kockums.
The Sea Ceptor is a sea-based supersonic missile defense system developed for the British Royal Navy. The system will initially be mounted on Type 23 frigates. The Sea Ceptor missile system was developed by MBDA Missile Systems, a partnership between BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica. Thales UK develops and manufactures the laser proximity fuse for the Sea Ceptor’s missile as part of a contract signed in January 2012. The Sea Ceptor is based on MBDA’s common anti-air modular missile (CAMM). CAMM is being developed in three versions – CAMM (M) for maritime, CAMM (L) for land and CAMM (A) for air defence. CAMM (M) is the first to be developed, in the form of the Sea Ceptor.
The Visby class is a series of corvettes in use by the Swedish Navy. It is the latest class of corvette adopted by the navy after the Göteborg- and Stockholm-class corvettes. Its design emphasizes low visibility radar cross-section and infrared signature, and the class has received widespread international attention because of its capabilities as a stealth ship. The first ship in the class is named after Visby, the main city on the island of Gotland. The Visby ships are designed by Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and built by Saab Kockums AB in Karlskrona.[3] The first ship of the class was launched in 2000, but production then suffered repeated delays. The fifth and final ship was delivered in 2015.
