OVERVIEW: The A 17 Vastergotland is a diesel-electric submarine operated by the Swedish Navy. Built by Kockums, she represents a significant advancement in Swedish submarine design, incorporating advanced materials and systems for enhanced stealth and operational effectiveness in the challenging Baltic environment.

DETAILS:
The Vastergotland class was developed in the late 1980s as a successor to the earlier Najad class, with a focus on improved acoustic signature reduction and increased operational range. Design priorities included shock resistance, low magnetic signature, and the ability to operate effectively in the shallow and complex underwater environments of the Baltic Sea. The Vastergotland class submarines are characterized by their modular construction, facilitating easier maintenance and upgrades throughout their service life. These submarines were intended to maintain Sweden's undersea superiority in the Baltic, providing a potent deterrent against potential adversaries. They were constructed with a hull optimized for low-noise operation, which included the use of dampened machinery and strategically-placed hull coatings.

The primary roles of the Vastergotland-class submarines are anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW), with a secondary capability for intelligence gathering. The installation of the SUBTASS (Submarine Towed Array Sonar System) provides a significant advantage in passive long-range detection of enemy submarines, while the PRS 3-15 suite offers active sonar capabilities for target classification and ranging. The CSU 83 integrated sonar system, coupled with the IPS CSU 83 passive ranging system, enhances the submarine’s ability to detect and track targets in a variety of acoustic environments. The AR-700S5 electronic support measures (ESM) suite allows for the detection and identification of radar emissions from surface ships and aircraft, further enhancing situational awareness.

The TRS 3110 Calypso IV radar, operating in conjunction with the DRUA 33 radar intercept system, provides surface surveillance and navigation capabilities. The combination of the MAS 83 magnetic anomaly detector and low-magnetic signature design allows the Vastergotland to detect and avoid underwater mines. Two generic submarine periscopes (one optical, one LLTV) provide visual and low-light surveillance capabilities. The armament of 533mm and 400mm torpedo tubes allows the Vastergotland class to engage both surface and subsurface targets. The presence of a signal ejector further enhances communication capabilities while submerged.

SPECIFICATION: Length: 48.5 m || Beam: 6.1 m || Draft: 5.6 m || Disp: 1070 t

SENSORS: PRS 3-15 || CSU 83 || SUBTASS || AR-700S5 || TRS 3110 Calypso IV [DRUA 33] || IPS CSU 83 || MAS 83 || Generic Submarine Periscope, Optical || Generic Submarine Periscope, LLTV

ARMAMENT: 533mm TT || 400mm TT || Signal Ejector