The new ship, HMS Artemis, is to be equipped with signals intelligence equipment during the year through the provision of the FRA to replace HMS Orion by 2024 at the latest.
FMV has today received the new signals intelligence vessel HMS Artemis from the supplier Saab Kockums. The ship was ordered in 2017 and delivery to FMV and the Armed Forces was planned for 2020. The project has been hit by challenges, mainly due to financial difficulties at the Polish subcontractor and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic. This made Saab Kockums decide to adjust the project approach and complete the vessel on site in Karlskrona, in cooperation with Polish subcontractors.
HMS Artemis replaces HMS Orion as a signals intelligence resource at sea. The new ship has better maneuverability and will provide the Swedish Armed Forces' and FRA's personnel with a better living environment on board. In addition, her electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC characteristics, have been improved. This means that the level of disturbing signals emitted by the ship has been reduced.
In addition to signals intelligence equipment installed by the FRA, the vessel is equipped with maritime intelligence sensors.
"We are now taking a big step closer to delivering a new signals intelligence vessel to the Swedish Armed Forces, and that at a time when this type of capability is really needed. With Artemis, Sweden will have a modern ship with a better working environment for the staff and better signals intelligence capabilities. FMV's focus is now to complete and hand over the ship to the Swedish Armed Forces as quickly as possible," says Patric Hjorth, head of naval equipment at FMV.
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