June 2, 200521 yr From Defense Aerospace RSwN Submarine HMS Gotland on Lease to US Navy for Twelve Months (Source: Kockums AB; issued May 31, 2005) The Swedish Navy submarine HMS Gotland, designed and built by Kockums, is being leased to the US Navy for a year, complete with a Swedish crew, so that the Americans can conduct joint manoeuvres with her. She was recently loaded onto a container ship for freight to the USA. She will initially be based on the US west coast in San Diego. Prior to her transatlantic transit, Kockums’ personnel and others have carried out a thorough overhaul. Among other things, the vessel’s civil communications equipment for marine safety has been upgraded with an emergency power supply. A new satellite communications antenna has been installed and the submarine has been equipped with an improved air conditioning system and a larger freshwater generator. “Everyone involved has done an excellent job in a short time,” notes project manager Lars Bergenzaum at Kockums. The Gotland-class submarine possesses excellent stealth characteristics and has performed well in international joint manoeuvres.
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