Swedish Navy Fleet Inventory 🇸🇪

The Swedish Navy, known as Svenska marinen, is an integral part of the Swedish Armed Forces. It includes surface and submarine naval units, as well as marine units known as the Amphibious Corps (Amfibiekåren). Established under King Gustav I in 1522, it's among the world's oldest continuously serving navies, celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2022.

Throughout most of the 20th century, the Swedish Navy focused on countering potential invasions via the Baltic Sea and protecting commercial shipping. A significant shift occurred in 1972 when the government decommissioned all destroyers and frigates in favor of non-military measures for shipping protection. This decision eventually proved inadequate for anti-submarine warfare, leading to a reorientation towards smaller, more agile combat ships.

Post World War II, the navy was structured around light cruiser groups, but a strategic shift in the 1960s led to the phasing out of these cruisers in favor of smaller vessels. The fleet also began experimenting with missiles and incorporated helicopters in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Modern Swedish warships, particularly since the 1980s, have emphasized agility and flexibility. The largest surface combat ships today are corvettes, which serve multiple roles including surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and mine clearance. Notably, the navy has introduced stealth corvettes, like the Visby class, and a new class of submarines with advanced air-independent propulsion systems for longer submerged endurance.

The Amphibious Battalion, a component of the Amphibious Corps, primarily operates with small combat boats like the Stridsbåt 90H for rapid troop transport and landings, especially in archipelagos. The battalion also has larger transport boats and relies on cooperation with other branches of the Swedish military for heavier operations.

Key facts

Number of active ships by category