Visby Class Corvettes Ready to Enter Swedish Naval Service

The Swedish Navy will receive the first two Visby Class corvettes, HMS Helsingborg and HMS Härnösand, on 16 December after they complete final sea tests.

HMS Härnösand commanding officer Patrik Norberg said the ability to get fuel from a support ship at sea means that the corvettes will avoid time-consuming movements to and from the quay.

The foredeck of the ship allows the crew to remain inside the hull which makes the refuelling process weather-protected.

Both the corvettes are capable of operating anti-ship missiles and can carry out many different missions, including security in Gulf of Aden.

HMS Helsingborg and HMS Härnösand will undergo training for operational readiness, at home and abroad, in October 2010.