According to “Dagens Nyheter”, Swedens biggest morning paper, USA has sent a request to Swedish Armed Forces for hiring a Gotland-class submarine (including crew!) for a period between one or three years. The swedish department of defence confirms that the matter is being reviewed by the swedish government and that a decision will be taken within a couple of weeks. Until then, they refuse to make any further comments.
The submarine is most likely to be used as an aggressor during US Navy exercise continuing those exercises that already has been conducted in the mediterranean and outside the swedish west coast between swedish and american subs.
Source: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1042&a=324421&previousRenderType=8 (in Swedish)
If you give the left wing parties in Sweden another couple of years in charge, you could soon hire the whole armed forces :diablo:
regards,
Castor
By: US Agent - 5th November 2004 at 19:16
U.S. and Sweden to Conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare Training
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Oct. 29, 2004)
The U.S. Navy and the Swedish Navy will begin a bilateral training effort that provides a Swedish advanced diesel submarine and crew for U.S. Navy fleet anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training.
Commencing in early 2005, the partnership will focus on ASW system test and evaluation as well as the combined development of naval capabilities.
“Recent establishment of the Fleet ASW Command in San Diego, Calif., combined with the planned deployment of a state-of-the-art Swedish diesel sub and crew to the West Coast, provides our forces innovative opportunities to train during combined exercises,” said U.S. Fleet Forces Command Director of Readiness and Training Rear Adm. Don Bullard.
The Swedish Navy will provide an advanced diesel submarine, a Gotland-class air independent propulsion (AIP) submarine, for the U.S. Navy’s long-term use. ASW training will be conducted from San Diego. The Swedish submarine will be Swedish-flagged, commanded, manned and operated. U.S. Navy personnel will be onboard the Swedish submarine as riders and observers for training purposes.
“This U.S.-Swedish effort will demonstrate the further development of international interoperability between the two nations,” said Inspector of the Royal Swedish Navy, Rear Adm. Jörgen Ericsson. “Sweden is currently reorganizing the Swedish armed forces with extensive focus on international operations in which the Swedish Navy contributes a unique capability in maritime security in the littorals.”
The mission of this training effort is to conduct focused and integrated ASW training and assessment of the U.S. Navy’s fleet ASW operations, tactics and doctrine, and ASW education.
The U.S.-Swedish effort will focus on the following improvements to:
1) The performance of fleet operators on all ASW platforms;
2) The ASW performance assessment at theater, carrier/expeditionary strike group, unit- level ship, aviation squadron and submarine levels against standardized, common metrics;
3) Individual student ASW training and qualifications;
4) Overall theater undersea warfare capability.
Nations around the globe continue to acquire quiet and lethal submarines designed to operate in littoral regions and the open ocean. With advanced weaponry developments, the nature of ASW has changed, increasing the risks to operations at sea.
Control of littoral environments is essential to ensuring prompt access for joint forces moving ashore from the sea. Future ASW effectiveness in this critical area demands a dedicated focus on and sensors, new operating concepts and fleet ASW training. Through U.S. and Swedish efforts, both navies are meeting this challenge head on.
“This will vastly improve our capability to conduct realistic, effective antisubmarine warfare training that is so critical to the Navy’s ability to accomplish our mission,” added Bullard. “It also expands our efforts in developing coalition ASW tactics, techniques and procedures. This is a great opportunity for both navies and we are very excited about it.”
This bilateral effort is a great example of the U.S. and Swedish navies’ commitment to ensure that our naval service and those of our allies and partners retain operational primacy at sea.
By: Castor - 28th October 2004 at 20:20
Well, did you know this as well? :diablo:
“Swedish submarine will conduct exercises with USA
A swedish submarine of Gotland-class including crew shall conduct exercises with US Navy during one year in USA. That was decided by the swedish government today (note: 28:th of october 2004).
The purpose is to develop the ability to cooperate in joint international operations. …”
Source: http://www.svt.se/texttv/116.html (in Swedish)
Nice done by the social democrats, the left wing and green parties refused to let a foreign power hire the submarine since Sweden is supposed to be a neutral country, so they simply call it an exercise and send the sub anyway. God knows how they are going to get paid though…
regards,
Castor
By: Severodvinsk - 28th October 2004 at 19:34
That is old news and a lot more is known about this possible deal. Including price and that it would go to the Pacific fleet for practice.
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October 28, 2004 at 7:27 pm