Two submarines, but they were losing it. A 40-millimeter naval cannon, and a drop of deep-sea bombs against submarines – HSwMS "Ulvön" for a mine destroyer is in many aspects unusual. But it's past for another reason. It's the first Swedish ship in the NATO team. “Army Poland” spent respective hours aboard it.
The boat is approaching the ship, but this 1 is not slowing down. The sailors on his stern only throw over the side of the line ladder. So I catch a thick line and put my ft on a wooden step that is slipped through the sea. The ladder is simply a small swaying under my weight, but I'm starting to get on the rails. After a while, I'm on board. The officer standing in front of me is glowing and reaching out. – Mathias – introduces – I am the commander of HSwMS “Ulvön”. Welcome aboard.
King on the Mess Hall
In a way, we are witnessing historical moments. "Ulvön" is the first Swedish ship to service under the NATO flag. In mid-January, he joined SNMCMG1, 1 of the 2 allied antimine teams that defender the safety of shipping in the waters of northern Europe. – It feels large that we can join the squad little than a year after Sweden became a associate of the Alliance. This shows how well we were prepared for this function – cadmium said at the time. Johan Norlen, Swedish Navy commander. In a akin tone, the commander of ‘Ulvöna’ kmdr por. Mathias Hägberg speaks. “In fact, we have worked with NATO as a partner country for 30 years. We have learned the procedures, the rules of operation – he explains and assures that entering SNMCMG1 was not specified a leap into deep water again.
I enter the Swedish ship on the occasion of exercises conducted in the Gulf of Pomerania. SNMCMG1 units have appeared here as part of Natovian mission “Baltic Sentry”, which consists of guarding critical maritime infrastructure. Now they are training together with the ORP crew "Contradmiral Xavera Czernicki", belonging to the 8th Coast Defence Fleet. Ships maneuver in formation, sailors check communications procedures and lustrate the seabed utilizing sonars and submarines. And I have the chance to see "Ulvön".
It's a Koster-type mine destroyer. The unit entered service in 1992, being the last of the 7 series ships. So far, 5 of them stay in service. – The dimension of the "Ulvön" is close to 50 m and the buoyancy is 360 t. The crew consists of 30 officers, enlisted officers and sailors. Among them we have 25 men and 5 women – explains Mr Hägberg. For now, we are sitting in the officers' mess hall, a area where the highest-ranking crew members eat their meals. On the table 3 proponents – flags of Sweden, Poland and NATO. On the wall image of King Charles XVI Gustav and Queen Sylvia. There are firesuits in the corner. The emergency squad dresses in them while exercising to extinguish the fire on board. The commander ends a brief introduction. Now, in the company of 1 of the officers, he'll show us around the deck.
The sea fox is off to battle
We scope the bridge through narrow corridors and passageways. We have a government of monitors flashing ahead of us. Among them is an electronic map and counter indicating velocity and depth. partially glazed area is dark. The windows were covered with curtains that defend against the sun. – ‘Ulvön’ is designed to search, identify and combat mines. There's inactive quite a few them in the Baltic. This is the remnant of planet War II – explains Lt. Hägberg. “In this kind of operations, we usage podkilow sonar, submarines, and we besides have highly skilled divers on board,” he says. "Ulvön" besides has a variety of weapons. It primarily serves to defend the ship from outside attacks. Through the iris on the sternum I can see even the cannon installed on the bow. “This is simply a 40-millimeter cannon to combat targets in the air and on the surface of the sea,” explains the commander. Apart from that, the crew has at their disposal 2 Ksp 58 device guns mounted on the side, though... not only. But that's later, due to the fact that for now we're leaving the bridge and heading consecutive for the CIC.
Under this English abbreviation lies the centre of combat and information, in another words the heart of the ship. It is here that all information flows from the onboard sensors, and the data collected in this way helps to build alleged situational awareness. The area is cramped, with a categorical ban on taking pictures. The watchkeepers sit in front of 2 rows of monitors. They follow the indications of the ArtE 726 radar and the sonars with which the ship is equipped 24 hours a day. As a result, they know what happens around the unit – underwater, on the surface of the sea and in the air. Indications are applied to each another and reports are sent to the commander.
We're moving on and re-entering the open deck. For a moment, we halt at the stern of the submarine. It is simply a Double Eagle Mk II Swedish company Saab. The device is utilized to identify dangerous objects lying at the bottom. He can besides plant explosives under them. It is controlled by the operator via cabolin. After the light, it transmits the image from the deep. And it can sink to 350 m. akin vehicles, only in the newer version, are besides utilized by Polish sailors. On the equipment of the mine destroyer ORP “Kormoran” Double Eagle Mk III, and on the next ships of the 258 – Double Eagle Sarov. Meanwhile, the HSwMS "Ulvön" crew has another vehicle at their disposal. The German Sea Fox is simply a one-and-a-half metre long remote-controlled vehicle that can happen in inspection and combat versions. In the second installment it acts like a kamikaze drone. An operator detects a mine or no explosion, then detonates a warhead mounted on the device.
Subhydration discharge
But the Swedish ship's crew is not only utilizing submarines to fight mines. On the stern right next to Double Eagle's yellow figure, I can see... wrapped on a metallic drum. This is simply a souvenir after the days before the ship was upgraded, erstwhile "Ulvön" was a trawler. During the combat activities, steel ropes cut the anchorings of anchor mines, and these flowed to the surface where they were destroyed by firearm volleys. "This method of mine fighting may not be very commonly used, but very fast and effective. As a crew, we regularly practice trampling. We request to be ready for any eventuality – 1 of the Swedish officers points out. Especially as the war in Ukraine showed, the anchor mines did not go to the lamest. On The Black Sea is utilized by both sides of the conflict. But surprise does not end there. "Ulvön", which is alternatively different for a mine destroyer, has deep-sea bombs on board. They are weapons against submarines. This method of combat is seldom used, but any ships inactive have akin weapons. It is adequate to mention the Polish Corvette of the ORP “Kashub”. specified a rich, though technologically diverse weaponry makes sailors with SNMCMG1 They call the "Ulvöna" a mini-fregat.
The ship can besides boast a advanced yield. It is provided by 2 cyclone propulsors, which replaced conventional screws. Thanks to them, the unit can turn almost in place. This is important, especially erstwhile maneuvering in a minestead. Again, akin solutions can besides be seen on Polish ships. The propulsors are equipped already mentioned ‘Cormorans’.
At the end of the visit, a fast glance at the alleged social. I've seen the mess hall, and now I'm looking in the cabins and... it's good. Of course, the "Ulvöna" has akin rules as on another ships. Only the commander can number on his own room. Officers sleep after two, while large rooms with bunks located on 3 levels stay at the disposal of sailors and sub-commissioners. But the cabins for a tiny ship are spacious and the beds are comfortable. “To be honest, we have no reason to complain,” admits 1 of the officers.
‘Ulvön’ is so not new. It's hard to compare. Polish “Kormorans”But beyond doubt, he has rather quite a few assets.
