Type A26

The Kockums Type A26 submarine, formerly known as Viking-class, is the result of a multinational program involving Sweden, Denmark and Norway intended to pursue a boat optimized for the littoral environment with secondary oceanic capabilities. The next generation Type A26 submarine features stealth technology and will be built employing an advanced modular construction technique in order to achieve the low acquisition cost requirement. The same modular approach will ensure future growth encompassing upgrades and adaptations. An intergraded weapon system will coordinate weapon and sensors to achieve unprecedented underwater performance. The boat will be equipped with four 533mm torpedo tubes and one 6m long and 1.5m diameter multimission portal intended to deliver both special operations forces and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The propulsion system combines diesel-electric drive with Stirling air independent propulsion (AIP) system. The Stirling AIP employs liquid oxygen and diesel fuel in a pressurized combustion chamber. The AIP drive will enable Type A26 submarines to operate at a maximum speed of 6 knots in extreme stealth conditions during extended underwater patrols (up to 18 days) making the A26 very difficult to detect. A careful and verified shock resistance design, will make the boat highly invulnerable to underwater explosions. The submarine is equipped with an innovative flexible payload and is prepared for network centric operations. Besides, the A26 submarine will be fitted with advanced underwater sensors with extended range and high situational awareness and enabling thus unprecedented intelligence gathering operations. Each boat will be armed with 15 533mm and/or 400mm torpedoes as well as mines. Under the former Viking program, the Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian Navies plans called for the procurement of two, four, and four Viking-class submarines starting in 2005. Finland was an observer of the Viking and eventually could order additional A26/Viking submarines. In June 2010, the Swedish parliament voted in favor of procuring two A26 submarines to operate in the Baltic Sea and other littoral waters. The involvement of the other partner nations in the A26 program remains uncertain at this point.

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