Sweden’s Advanced Submarine Fleet Boosts NATO’s Capabilities in the Baltic Sea
By Johan Ahlander
KARLSKRONA, Sweden (Reuters) – Sweden’s imminent membership in NATO will bolster the alliance’s capabilities in northwest Europe, particularly in the Baltic Sea, a region of strategic importance due to its proximity to Russia and its bottleneck for accessing ports in eight states, including Germany.
A crucial element in Sweden’s ability to maintain navigable waters in this area is its world-leading submarine fleet, which experts believe contains some of the most advanced conventional submarines ever constructed.
A NATO official told Reuters that the Swedish submarine fleet is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the Baltic sea and will significantly enhance NATO’s overall submarine capabilities in the region.
The submarine fleet’s prowess lies in its adaptability to the unique environment of the Baltic Sea. With an average depth of around 60 meters, the sea is too shallow for the nuclear-powered submarines that form the bulk of Russia’s fleet and the entirety of the U.S. Navy’s fleet.
Currently, Sweden possesses three advanced Gotland-class submarines, with plans to retire an older model when two new A26 vessels are delivered by 2028, bringing the total fleet count to five.
A key factor behind Sweden’s submarine competence is its rich experience in operating submarines in the Baltic. The country has been actively engaged in underwater activities since 1904, making it a regional expert in this area compared to its neighboring countries.
Additionally, the Baltic Sea presents unique challenges due to varying salinity levels influenced by numerous rivers. These factors affect the buoyancy of submarines and the way sound propagates underwater, requiring local knowledge to navigate successfully.
Sweden’s submarines are designed to remain submerged for extended periods. By utilizing liquid oxygen stored onboard to power the diesel engines, these submarines can recharge batteries underwater, reducing the need to resurface, thereby decreasing the risk of detection.
Looking ahead, experts predict that underwater warfare will eventually become autonomous. In anticipation of this shift, Sweden has ordered two new submarines, the A26, which are set to be delivered in 2027 and 2028.
The SAAB Kockums-built A26 submarines are expected to be larger and more versatile than the current Gotland-class vessels. Notably, they will feature a unique 1.5-meter diameter dive-lock, called a multi-mission portal, in the bow, enabling the easy deployment of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous vehicles, or groups of divers. This feature aligns with the growing emphasis on seabed warfare, which includes protecting or destroying critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, on the seabed.
Sebastian Bruns, a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, highlights the importance of seabed warfare in current naval discussions, referring to the 2022 explosions that targeted the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which run underneath the Baltic Sea.
ROVs have the ability to conduct various tasks, including retrieving or placing objects on the seabed, scanning large areas, and deploying or eliminating mines. They can also operate at greater depths than regular submarines.
With Sweden’s advanced submarine fleet and its commitment to investing in new cutting-edge vessels, the country is poised to make significant contributions to NATO’s capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
(Edited by Sara Ledwith)