Visby Class Corvette

Visby Class Corvette

Type: Corvette

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: Sweden

Manufacturer: Saab Kockums

First Deployed: 2009

Overview

World's first stealth corvette and one of the most innovative warship designs globally, featuring full carbon-fiber composite hull and superstructure for minimal radar cross-section. The Visby class displaces 640 tonnes with length of 73 metres. The entire hull and superstructure are constructed from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) providing stealth characteristics, reduced weight, and non-magnetic signature for mine countermeasures. Radar cross-section reportedly comparable to a small fishing boat despite corvette size. Armed with Bofors 57mm Mk3 naval gun, 4x RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles (200+ km range), depth charges, and provisions for surface-to-air missiles. Propulsion via 4 waterjets powered by diesel and gas turbines for 35+ knots. The design emphasizes stealth, speed, and survivability in shallow Baltic Sea operations. Five boats in class: Visby, Helsingborg, Härnösand, Nyköping, and Karlstad — entering service 2009-2015. The Visby demonstrated revolutionary composite construction for naval vessels, though the initial production run was limited by cost. Sweden is developing Visby Generation 2 with heavier armament and larger displacement.

Technical Specifications

hullCarbon-fiber composite (full stealth shaping)
typeStealth Corvette
ships5 operational
speed35+ knots
sensorsSea Giraffe AMB radar; hull-mounted sonar; variable depth sonar
armament57mm Bofors Mk3 gun; RBS 15 Mk2 SSM; ASW torpedoes; depth charges
displacement~640 tonnes
manufacturerSaab Kockums (Sweden)

Operators

Related sea Weapon Systems