Swedish Visby Corvettes Gain New Anti-Air Capability with Sea Ceptor.

According to information published by Saab on May 28, 2025, the Swedish defense manufacturer has been awarded a contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to equip the Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor air defense system developed by MBDA. This program marks a strategic development for Sweden’s surface fleet, introducing a missile-based air defense capability since the ships entered service in 2009.
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Recent imagery suggests that the Sea Ceptor will be installed via a compact nine-cell vertical launch system located amidships, just aft of the ship’s low-signature superstructure (Picture source: Saab)

Valued at approximately SEK 1.6 billion, or around USD 166 million, the upgrade will enable the Visby-class to intercept aerial threats at distances exceeding 25 kilometers using the CAMM (Common Anti-air Modular Missile), which forms the core of the Sea Ceptor system. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2026, although Saab has not yet disclosed how long each corvette will be docked nor the sequence in which they will be upgraded. These details remain unconfirmed but are known to be part of FMV’s broader long-term modernization strategy to extend the operational relevance of the Swedish surface fleet.

The Sea Ceptor system itself represents a highly capable and modular naval air defense solution that has already been adopted by the UK Royal Navy and several allied forces, including those of New Zealand, Chile, Brazil, Poland, and Canada. Designed to provide both point and local area defense, Sea Ceptor is capable of engaging a wide variety of airborne threats such as fast jets, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, and precision-guided munitions. It uses active radar homing and is supported by a two-way data link for mid-course guidance updates, eliminating the need for dedicated fire control radar and thereby simplifying integration on board space-constrained platforms like corvettes.

A critical technical advantage of Sea Ceptor is its soft vertical launch system, which ejects the missile from its cell using compressed gas before its rocket motor ignites. This reduces thermal and structural stress on the launch platform and contributes to improved survivability and system longevity. The launcher design also supports quad-packing, allowing up to four CAMM missiles per vertical launch system (VLS) cell. For the Visby-class, this compact and efficient architecture is especially valuable, as it allows for high-volume firepower within the ship’s limited space and weight margins. Depending on final configuration, each vessel could carry between nine and thirty-six missiles.

This upgrade significantly enhances the Visby-class’s area defense capability, allowing these ships not only to defend themselves but also to protect other assets operating within their coverage zone. This is especially important in high-threat littoral regions like the Baltic Sea, where Sweden’s Navy frequently operates and where multi-axis and saturation attacks are plausible scenarios.

The Visby-class corvettes are optimized for operations in such environments. Designed by Kockums and in service since the early 2000s, these 640-tonne vessels feature advanced stealth characteristics, including a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic hull that minimizes radar cross-section. Each ship measures 72.7 meters in length and was originally designed for multi-role missions including anti-surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine operations. However, their air defense systems have until now been limited in range and capacity, making them vulnerable to modern airborne threats.

Recent imagery has revealed that the Sea Ceptor will likely be installed amidships in a compact nine-cell VLS module positioned just aft of the stealth-designed superstructure. This approach preserves the vessel’s radar signature while delivering a significant increase in combat capability. By avoiding exposed deck-mounted launchers, as seen on ships like the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, the Swedish Navy maintains the Visby-class’s low-observable design advantages.

Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s business area Kockums, stated that the integration of Sea Ceptor will enhance both Sweden’s and NATO’s broader air and missile defense networks by increasing the Swedish Armed Forces' ability to conduct operations across the full spectrum of conflict. He emphasized that with the new system onboard, the Visby-class will continue to serve as vital assets in Sweden’s maritime posture.

The selection of Sea Ceptor for the Visby-class corvettes marks a strategic enhancement of Sweden’s naval defense capabilities. By equipping its frontline vessels with a modern, high-performance missile system, Sweden is strengthening both national defense and alliance interoperability. This modernization ensures that the Visby-class will remain relevant and capable in the evolving threat environment of the Baltic and beyond.