Swedish Patrol Boats Refit with Kongsberg Sonar
As part of a rebuild and lifetime extension program for five Swedish Navy patrol boats, Swede Ship Marine will install new Kongsberg Maritime sonar systems to replace the previous model SIMRAD SS576 sonar first installed in 1996 on board the Tapper-class (or Bevakningsbåt 80).
At 22 meters in length and a displacement of 62 tons, the Tapper-class Fast Patrol Boats operate in extremely shallow water and require sonar capable of high performance in such environments. Kongsberg Maritime said its sonar was selected for this upgrade to help protect and patrol Swedish coastal waters, more specifically to be used for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine and Obstacle detection and Navigation, and is designed for use in shallow water.
Thomas Hostvedt Dahle, Naval Sonar Product Sales Manager, Kongsberg Maritime, said, “The Swedish Navy is one of the most experienced Navies with regards to operation of sonars in shallow and challenging waters so we are proud to have the preferred sonar solution for protection of the Swedish coastline.”
He continued, “Our sonars have acoustic properties specially developed for shallow water and our design is compact in order to enable installation also on very small ships. This supports the ASW tactics of fighting submarines in shallow water with the use of several smaller ships that are equipped with sonars. We look forward to the ship being delivered with upgraded sonars to the Swedish Navy, in less than a year.”
The rebuild and lifetime extension project has already started, with the first vessel being prepared for the work in the shipyard.