HMS Carlskrona ready to hunt pirates

HMS Carlskrona is equipped for anti-piracy operations. She will operate as a command and headquarters ship for the entire EU operation off the coast of Somalia.

HMS Carlskrona has undergone a refit and modernisation at Kockums in Karlskrona, to enable her to act as a command vessel and as headquarters for the EU anti-piracy mission off the Somalian coast. Her primary mission is to protect UN food shipments to those in need, a mission that also involves providing protection to merchant shipping passing through the area.

“At Kockums, although this involved a considerable amount of work that had to be completed on a fairly tight schedule, everyone has risen to the challenge in a fantastic manner,” notes Project Manager Mattias Olsson. The work involved a complete refit. In the main propulsion system, all worn parts were replaced. A new bridge has been installed, as well as a new command system.

Given the fact that HMS Carlskrona will become a command ship with a total of 165 men on board, the command network has been upgraded and new command space has been added. The ship has also been modified to receive helicopters and to offer a helicopter refuelling capability. The medical facilities have been refurbished and modified. A special davit has now also been installed, enabling the simple launch and recovery of a specially-designed high-speed RIB for deployment against pirates.

HMS Carlskrona, built at Kockums, is best known for having plied the oceans of the world over the past twenty years on a number of extended voyages. Proving to be a good ambassadress for Sweden, she helped promote many aspects of Sweden, especially with respect to what Swedish industry has to offer. During this period, she docked in no less than 300 ports and visited 75 countries.

Page updated Thursday, January 21, 2010.