Keel Laying Ceremony for the first Blekinge-class Submarine
June 30, 2022, the Keel Laying Ceremony for HMS Blekinge takes place at Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona
In 2014 a political decision was made; underwater capabilities in Sweden are an essential security interest. June 30, 2015, Sweden ordered two new Blekinge-class submarines, tailor-made for Swedish prerequisites. At that time, new submarines had not been built in Sweden for more than 20 years. Since that day, Sweden has worked on regaining the capability.
June 30, 2022, the Keel Laying Ceremony for HMS Blekinge takes place at Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona, and the first hull sections are placed next to another to be joined, with representatives from the Swedish Navy, The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, Blekinge County and Saab.
“The submarine competence places Sweden among one of few nations in the world with the capability to build modern and advanced submarines. The ceremony is not only a milestone for HMS Blekinge, it is also proof that Sweden has regained the capability. We are looking forward to when her sister HMS Skåne will follow in her tracks”, said Micael Johansson, President and CEO Saab.
Facts on
…a keel laying ceremony
The keel laying ceremony is an old shipbuilding tradition, in which coins are placed under the keel of the ship to bring luck during the construction phase. When building a submarine the keel laying ceremony takes place when the first hull sections are placed next to another to be joined. A ceremonial coin will from this day follow the boat on the rest of her journey.
..Blekinge-class submarines
HMS Blekinge and HMS Skåne*
Length: 66,1 m
Beam: 6,75 m
Deplacement: 1 925 tons
Propulsion: 3 Diesel- and 3 Stirling engines
Complement: 17-26, maximum 35
Armament: Torpedos, mines, AUV, ROV, MSF
*source fmv.se