Launch of HMS Sälen marks a major milestone in a programme designed to enhance torpedo recovery, underwater operations and logistics capabilities.
The first of two new work vessels being built for the Swedish Armed Forces has been successfully launched at Astilleros Armon Vigo shipyard, marking a major milestone in a programme that will enhance the Swedish Navy’s capabilities in torpedo recovery, underwater operations and maritime logistics. HMS Sälen entered the water for the first time at the Astilleros Armon Vigo shipyard in Spain, progressing from construction on the slipway to the next phase of outfitting and systems integration.
After months of work in the shipyard’s hull hall, HMS Sälen has now been launched by being slowly lowered into the water under controlled conditions. The ship is now at the shipyard’s equipment quay where further installation and verification work is being carried out.
The launch marks a major milestone in the project and was celebrated with a ceremony on site in Vigo. During the ceremony, speeches were given by representatives from the supplier as well as FMV’s head of naval materiel, Fredrik Lindén, and the Swedish Armed Forces representative, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Wallin, head of the Marine Base Garrison Unit, the organisational unit that will later receive HMS Sälen.
– The launch of this work vessel marks another important step in our work to strengthen the Swedish Armed Forces’ long-term endurance at sea. HMS Sälen is developed to support the navy’s units with, among other things, torpedo recovery, underwater work and logistics, and is a clear example of how FMV, together with European industry, translates needs into concrete capabilities. We are proud to be able to see the result of a close and purposeful collaboration taking place on the water today, says Fredrik Lindén, Head of the Marine Equipment Business Area at FMV.
Also participating from FMV were project manager Susanne Nordman, unit manager Gunnar Hansen, product manager Christoffer Lineskär, senior advisor Elsa Olofsson and shipbuilding engineer Johan Colliander.
The project has been conducted in close collaboration with the Spanish shipyard, with daily contact and recurring design meetings between FMV and the supplier. FMV also has its own on-site office at the shipyard in Vigo where the authority is represented throughout the construction.
– The presence on site has been crucial to the progress of the project. Through our on-site office, we can follow the construction on a daily basis, make decisions quickly and resolve technical issues directly with the shipyard. The close collaboration has created a strong common driving force forward and has been key to our now being able to see HMS Sälen launched, says Susanne Nordman, project manager for the procurement of the work vessels.
Sea trials for HMS Sälen will take place in the fall of 2026 before the ship is delivered to FMV at the end of the year. Work will then continue in Sweden, where the ship will be militarised at Hasslö Varv in Karlskrona before delivery to the Swedish Armed Forces in the fall of 2027.
At the same time, construction is underway on the second work vessel, HMS Tumlaren, which is planned to be delivered to FMV in the fall of 2027 and to the Swedish Armed Forces in the fall of 2028.
The two new work vessels were ordered by FMV in 2024 and will strengthen the navy’s support resources. The names HMS Sälen and HMS Tumlaren tie in with the naval tradition of naming warships after marine animals. The seal symbolises agility and efficiency underwater, while the Tumlaren is associated with intelligence and advanced capabilities.
