Sweden will begin the process to augment its Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor system in 2026, introducing a missile-based air defence capability to the warships for the first time since they entered service in 2009.
Announcing the development in a 28 May 2025 release, Swedish defence OEM Saab said that it had been awarded the contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to equip the Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes with MBDA’s Sea Ceptor system.
The upgrade, valued at approximately Skr1.6bn ($166m), once completed will significantly enhance the Visby class’ air defence capability, with the CAMM-based Sea Ceptor able to intercept airborne threats at ranges in excess of 25km.
Saab said the FMV had previously placed an order for the Sea Ceptor air defence system with MBDA, with work to begin “in early 2026” to modify the Visby-class corvettes.
“With the air defence system on board, the Visby-class corvettes will continue to be a vital platform for many years to come,” says Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Kockums.
Visby-class corvettes: key anti-air upgrade
The Sea Ceptor upgrade is part of FMV’s long-term plan to modernise the five Visby-class corvettes, which are Sweden’s main surface warfare combatants.
When contacted, Saab was unable to provide additional information regarding the Sea Ceptor programme, including the time each Visby corvette would be alongside during the installation of the air defence system, nor at what intervals each vessel would receive the upgrade.
However, analysis of published imagery has allowed additional details to be gleaned, showing a small nine-cell vertical launch system (VLS) located amidship, just aft of the stealth-designed superstructure.
The decision to incorporate a VLS will enable the Visby corvettes to retain their stealth profile and is a clear design change from another operator of the Sea Ceptor, the UK Royal Navy, which has installed clusters of ‘mushroom farms’ that stand proud of decks on its Type 23 frigates.
It is not known whether the Visby corvettes CAMM Sea Ceptor missile will be multiple packed into each VLS cell. Given this, the number of CAMM units able to be accommodate could range from nine, up to 36 missiles, if quad packed.
