Sweden’s navy is quietly pushing its Visby-class corvettes toward greater automation and lethality with a new robotic weapons-hatch system designed to keep armaments hidden until needed. The Visby’s stealth relies on concealed stores; the hatch lets crews—and eventually robots—open and launch weapons without giving away the ship’s position. FMV (the Swedish defence procurement agency), Saab Dynamics and Svekon have teamed with the Naval Staff to develop the mechanism. Recent load tests using a robotic dummy proved the hatch can handle operational stresses, a crucial step toward deploying the follow-on Robot 15 missile system and other automated weapons. The program will be phased through to 2030, allowing time to integrate launch controllers, safety systems and networked targeting. The hatch is part of a broader naval upgrade push. Sweden has also overhauled its Gotland-class submarines with new sensors, combat systems and improvements to air-independent propulsion—upgrades that extend submerged patrol time and enhance stealth. HMS Halland was relaunched in February 2025 after replacing more than 20 major systems. On the surface missile front, Sweden is moving to truck-mounted RBS15 Mk3 coastal strike units, with deliveries expected to start in 2026—an effort to rapidly harden coastal defence and create mobile anti-ship deterrence. At the same time, the navy has been trialing advanced networked command-and-control systems to share sensor data faster between ships and improve coordinated responses in complex scenarios. Together, these projects show Sweden’s dual approach: preserve the Visby’s low radar profile while adding automated launch capability and modern sensors, and modernize strike and underwater forces to operate more effectively in the Baltic and beyond. The robotic hatch is a small but pivotal piece—enabling concealed, rapid response and helping Sweden field a more agile, survivable maritime force for the decade ahead.
