Upgrade of Visby-Class Corvettes with CAMMs
Overview of the Agreement
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets Materielverk: FMV) has finalized a contract modification with European defense contractor MBDA, ensuring the procurement of additional Common Anti-air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) for the Royal Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes.
Details of the Contract
- Announcement Date: The contract amendment was disclosed on November 14, 2023.
- Initial Contract: This agreement follows an earlier contract for CAMMs placed in November 2023.
- Financials: The specifics regarding the financial value of the amendment and the precise quantity of missiles remain undisclosed.
Sea Ceptor Missile System
The CAMM missiles will be integrated into the Sea Ceptor local area air defense system, being retrofitted to five Visby-class vessels.
- Design Intent: Originally conceived to fulfill the United Kingdom Royal Navy’s future air defense requirements, Sea Ceptor serves to protect the host ship and allied vessels from various aerial threats, including anti-ship cruise missiles and hostile aircraft.
- Technical Specifications: The CAMM utilizes a “soft vertical launch” mechanism. It is equipped with active radar homing, enhanced by mid-course guidance updates, and is capable of all-weather engagements with a targeting range of up to 25 kilometers.
Retrofit Execution
In May 2025, Saab received a contract worth SEK1.6 billion (approximately USD167.5 million) from FMV to facilitate the Sea Ceptor retrofit on the Visby-class corvettes. The integration and installation tasks will be executed by Saab Kockums in Karlskrona, while collaborating closely with MBDA UK and Lockheed Martin.
- Timelines: The installation process for the first vessel is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Strategic Implications
The inclusion of the Sea Ceptor system presents a significant enhancement for the RSwN Visby-class corvettes. This modernization effectively strengthens Sweden’s maritime defense capabilities, ensuring an adaptable and responsive defense posture in anticipation of evolving aerial threats.
This initiative represents a proactive step in reinforcing national defense infrastructure, furthering Sweden’s commitment to maintaining operational readiness at sea. The collaborative efforts with established defense manufacturers underscore the importance of synergies in enhancing military capabilities in the region.
