Kockums AB,
Minehunting is one of the Swedish Navy’s specialities. The introduction of the upgraded Koster-series provides the Swedish Navy with new vessels at the cutting edge of technology. It is Kockums that has been entrusted with the upgrade of five former Landsort-class MCMVs.
The key elements of this new MCMV concept are new combat management systems, search radar and fire control systems, as well as new sonar and new ROVs.
HMS Koster and HMS Vinga have already been handed over to the end customer, FMV (the Swedish Defence Matériel Administration). The next step is when they are commissioned for service with the Swedish Navy.
At the same time, HMS Landsort has been decommissioned and mothballed. Her fate is uncertain. She will either be sold or employed in some other capacity. Whatever her fate, her former commanders – who had gathered for a small farewell ceremony – were unanimous in their opinion that HMS Landsort had proved herself to be a fantastic vessel during her 25-years service in the Swedish Navy.
Now HMS Koster will head this newly upgraded series of five vessels, which are designed to meet today’s most stringent requirements. It means that the Swedish Navy has acquired a modern mine countermeasures system with a new generation of subsea ROVs, advanced air defence capability and extended mission capability.
