Koster
Class overview
BuildersKarlskronavarvet AB
Operators Swedish Navy
Built1982-1993
In commission1983-
Planned7
Completed7
Active5
Retired2
General characteristics
Displacement360 tons
Length47.5 meters
Beam9.6 meters
Speed15 knots
Complement
  • 14 Officers
  • 14 Seamen
Armament

The Koster class is a class of five mine-countermeasure vessels currently in use by the Swedish Navy. Built between 1982 and 1993 as part of the seven-strong Landsort-class mine countermeasures vessels, the last five ships of the class were given a comprehensive midlife upgrade between 2007 and 2010, which resulted in HMS Koster becoming the lead ship of the newly upgraded class of MCMVs. After the upgrade, the Swedish Navy expects that it will serve on for another 15 to 20 years. An identifying feature of the Koster class is the fire control radar on top of the bridge.

Overview

In December 2004, the Swedish Navy awarded Kockums a contract for the mid-life upgrade for five of the Landsort class (excluding HMS Landsort and HMS Arholma). The upgrade includes a new mine countermeasures (MCM) system, adaptations for international operations as well as a new air defence systems involving moving and modification of the Arte 726 from the Kaparen class fast patrol boats.[1] The first is expected to be completed in 2008. The upgraded vessels will be renamed as the Koster class, as the first vessel to be upgraded is HMS Koster (formerly the third ship in the Landsort class).[2]


On 31 January 2005 a contract exceeding €30 million was awarded to Atlas Elektronik for the upgrade of these five vessels with the Atlas Integrated MCM Systems (IMCMS-S). The systems will be commissioned into operational service between 2008 and 2009.[3][4] The system combines minehunting, minesweeping, mine disposal, surveillance and communication with other naval forces. It comprises an Atlas MCM Tactical Command and Control system, a broadband Atlas HMS-12M hull-mounted sonar and an Atlas mine identification and disposal system (MIDS) Seafox. The IMCMS-S onboard also fully integrates sensors and effectors like the self-propelled variable depth sonar, underwater positioning system, navigation radar and sensors, conventional MIDS systems, and air defence system.[5]

The vessels are also upgraded to have Link 16 capability.[6]

Units

Bow number Ship name Laid down Launched Commissioned Note
M71 HMS Styrsö 2 November 1982 19 April 1984 In Storage
M72 HMS Arholma 10 October 1984 In Storage
M73 HMS Koster 15 August 1986 29 November 1986 In Service
M74 HMS Kullen 15 August 1986 29 November 1986 In Service
M75 HMS Vinga 14 August 1987 27 November 1987 In Service
M76 HMS Ven 18 August 1988 12 December 1988 In Service
M77 HMS Ulvön 4 March 1992 9 October 1992 In Service

See also

References

Citations
  1. ↑ "Midlife upgrade of Landsort class MCM vessels". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  2. ↑ "42. MCM Squadron". Royal Swedish Navy. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  3. ↑ "Royal Swedish Navy Procures Atlas Minehunting Systems" (PDF). Atlas Elektronik. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  4. ↑ "BAE Systems Investor Brief - February 2005". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  5. ↑ "IMCMS (Germany), Mine Warfare - Mine Warfare Combat Management". Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems. July 2007.
  6. ↑ "Technical Specification for the Link 16 Stand Alone System" (PDF). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
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