Sweden’s New Blekinge-class Subs Mean Only 1 Thing for Russia
The Swedes thought of almost everything in this boat.
Sweden was one of many European countries that, after the Cold War ended, became convinced that history itself had ended. Consequently, they allowed their military to atrophy.
Today, the folly of that approach has been revealed—and Sweden, NATO’s newest member, appears to be quickly changing course.
The Great Russian Sub Hunt
One of the rudest wake-up calls the Swedes experienced was in 2014. At that time, the Russians appeared to be on the move—successfully annexing the Crimean Peninsula and supporting a rebellion in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. Although leaders in Stockholm initially thought that they had successfully kept out of the geopolitical hurly-burly, the Swedish Navy soon detected a Russian submarine in their territorial waters.
A great sub hunt began.
From that sub hunt, the return of Sweden as a serious naval power was at hand. Over time, the Swedes realized that their proximity to Russia would ensure that they would be involved with some kind of hostile action with Russia. Better to prepare for the dark days of conflict rather than rest on their laurels.
And Sweden has always been a naval power. So the first place that Stockholm is restoring lost military capabilities is in the Royal Swedish Navy.
Sweden’s Impressive Submarine Force
Sweden’s navy is heavily dependent on its submarine force—which has already proven itself to be a serious actor. Sweden’s Stirling Air Independent Propulsion-powered Gotland-class submarines are among some of the most respected boats in the world. Indeed, the namesake of this class infamously “sank” the USS Ronald Reagan during wargames in 2005. Beginning in 2019, the Swedes began modernizing their Gotland-class submarines to ensure that they remained a potent platform until the 2030s.
Since the return of Russia as a threat to Europe, and with Sweden’s close proximity to Russia and its newfound membership in the NATO alliance, the country is having to drastically remilitarize. That is why the Royal Swedish Navy is not content to simply rely upon the handful of aging Gotland-class submarines to project power and deter Russia in their territorial waters. Saab Kockums has been commissioned by the Royal Swedish Navy to develop an entirely new submarine.
Understanding the Blekinge-class
Enter the Blekinge-class submarine, also known as A26 type. This submarine comes with another advanced AIP system, as well as a modular design to ensure it can constantly be upgraded throughout its lifecycle.
The Blekinge-class submarine can be traced back to the 1990s, when Sweden was initially thinking about a new method of power projection for what was then the coming century. When the Soviet Union fell, though, the program was put on ice.
As late as 2014, even as the geopolitical situation changed in Europe, it looked as though this important project would not get underway, since Kockums, the Swedish shipbuilder, was at the time owned by ThyssenKrupp. That larger firm was embroiled in multiple disputes with the Swedish government, leading to a breakdown in the project. Saab eventually purchased Kockums and got the program going again.
The keel-laying ceremony for the first A26 submarine, the HMS Blekinge, occurred on June 30, 2022. It symbolized Sweden’s return to an elite group of nations that were capable of designing and constructing new, advanced submarines. Indeed, these new subs will deliver potent and vital capabilities onto the Royal Swedish Navy, as they prepare to confront an increasingly belligerent Russia in the Baltic Sea (and beyond).
There’s Some Interesting Technology Onboard Blekinge-class Subs
One of the benefits of the advanced Kockums-built Stirling AIP system is that it is paired with Saab’s GHOST (Genuine HOlistic STealth) technology that enhances the submarine’s already quiet propulsion system.
The submarine has rubberized mounts, acoustic damping plates, and optimized interior surfaces to further reduce noise from machinery and crew, all while relying on an entirely new hull shape and fin design to drastically decrease hydrodynamic noise.
The Swedes thought of almost everything in this boat. It has an oversized torpedo tube in the bow that can deploy unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), special forces, or other payloads—somewhat similar to the US Navy’s Virginia-class Payload Module. Therefore, the Blekinge-class submarines will be useful in multi-mission sets. They can gather intelligence, conduct seabed warfare, and initiate covert operations.
Blekinge-class submarines will have a wide variety of armaments. Not only can the new sub deploy underwater drones, but it will also be capable of firing advanced Tp 62 heavyweight and Tp 47 lightweight torpedoes, and even mines.
Most importantly, these submarines are highly survivable. During the shock trials for this class of submarine, the Blekinge-class demonstrated extreme resilience against underwater explosions, including against undersea mines and depth charges.
These submarines will change the face of warfare by providing the Royal Swedish Navy with a highly advanced, cheap (compared to the nuclear submarines operated by the U.S. and British navies), and extremely stealthy submersible that will give the Russian Navy a run for its ruble in the Baltic Sea. What’s more, these submarines could become popular export models, which would boost Sweden’s capabilities immensely.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a Senior Fellow at the Center for the National Interest, and a contributor at Popular Mechanics, consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock.