SEK 1.6 billion upgrade to boost Sweden’s and NATO’s air defense capabilities
The Swedish Navy will upgrade its five Visby-class corvettes with the British Sea Ceptor air defense system. The SEK 1.6 billion (approximately $166 million) contract was signed between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Saab.
The integration work is expected to begin in early 2026.
Developed by British company MBDA, the Sea Ceptor system uses CAMM missiles and is already in service with the navies of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Poland. It provides both point and area defense against aircraft, helicopters, drones, and precision-guided munitions. Its soft-launch technology reduces deck stress and improves ship survivability.
"This upgrade strengthens Sweden’s and NATO’s air and missile defense, enhancing the operational capability of the Swedish Armed Forces and their ability to operate across the full spectrum of conflict," said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s Kockums business area.
The Visby-class corvettes, built by Saab Kockums, are known for their stealth features: carbon fiber composite hulls, reduced radar and thermal signatures, and integrated sensors and weapons systems. Each ship has a displacement of 640 tons, a length of 73 meters, and a top speed of around 35 knots.
The modernization will include installing three ExLS vertical launch modules per ship, enabling each vessel to carry up to 36 CAMM missiles.
This decision is part of FMV’s long-term strategy to maintain and upgrade the fleet, ensuring the Visby-class corvettes remain operationally relevant through at least 2040.