(AP) STOCKHOLM, Sweden – The United States wants to lease a Swedish attack submarine for naval exercises in the Baltic Sea in a deal possibly worth tens of millions of dollars, defense officials said Sunday.
The Swedish submarine would play an “enemy” role in the exercises.
“We have asked the government for permission,” Swedish military spokesman Anders Hedgren told The Associated Press.
The Swedish submarine also would participate in joint submarine rescue exercises with the Americans, Hedgren said.
Defense Ministry spokeswoman Paula Burreau confirmed that talks were ongoing between Sweden and the United States.
The Green Party, which supports the government in parliament, criticized the proposed deal.
“Sweden has accused the United States for being involved in a war violating international law in Iraq. This deal feels ill-timed under the circumstances,” Green Party spokesman Lars Aangstroem said.
Stationing a submarine with a full Swedish crew outside Sweden for a year would cost as much as $21.2 million a year, press reports said.
The 200-foot-long attack submarine has a crew of 33.
Vice Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, praised the Swedish submarines during a visit to Sweden last month.
“The Swedish submarines are silent and have an excellent combat management system. They can be submerged for weeks. I am happy that we are on the same side,” Donald said.
Sweden has amended its staunch neutrality policy in recent years, leaving more room for increased military cooperation with other countries. It is a keen contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations but has not fought a war since invading neighboring Norway in 1814.
I’m curious as to which class sub we are wanting to train against?
SSK Gotland Class (TYPE A19)
Kockums were awarded the contract in March 1990 to build three Gotland Class submarines, HMS Gotland, Uppland and Halland. The first of class, HMS Gotland, was commissioned in 1996. The second and third, HMS Uppland and Halland, were commissioned in 1997.The submarines are fitted with four 533mm torpedo tubes and two 400mm torpedo tubes. The Bofors Underwater Systems Type 613 torpedoes are fired from the 533mm tubes. The Type 613 is a heavy-weight anti-surface ship torpedo.The submarine is equipped with a CSU 90-2 integrated sonar sensor suite from STN Atlas Elektronik.
– SSK Vastergotland class (TYPE A17)
This class has been in service since 1989. The design combines the best characteristics from Sjï²en and Nacken. The Vastergotland class submarines have greater anti-submarine capability than earlier types partly because they are equipped with a new anti-submarine torpedo.For passive reconnaissance the submarine is equipped with circular sonar and a flank array sonar (FAS). The armament consists of type 613 heavy torpedoes and type 431/451 light torpedoes. Mines can be carried.