Latest news with #SwedishNavy
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sweden's Stealth Navy: Visby Corvettes and Gotland Submarines
Sweden favors stealth over brute force—and nowhere is that more apparent than in its two naval marvels: the Visby-class corvette and the Gotland-class submarine. Engineered for one of the most complex maritime environments in the world, these platforms embody the Swedish Navy's philosophy of striking silently, surviving unpredictably, and defending decisively. The Visby-class corvette is one of the most radar-evading warships ever built. Its angular, carbon-fiber hull dramatically reduces its radar cross-section, while integrated weapons and sensors help it operate undetected in littoral zones. Despite its sleek profile, the Visby is packed with anti-submarine, anti-ship, and mine warfare capabilities—tailored for the Baltic's tight, shallow waters. Beneath the surface, the Gotland-class submarine is a master of silent operations. It was the first operational sub to feature air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing it to remain submerged for weeks without surfacing. Its quiet diesel-electric engines and stealthy profile once allowed it to 'sink' a U.S. aircraft carrier during a training exercise—without ever being detected. Together, the Visby and Gotland represent a highly strategic blend of innovation and geography. They're not built to dominate oceans—they're built to disappear in narrow seas and reappear with deadly precision. Quiet, agile, and nearly invisible—this is Sweden's naval edge.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reported Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker, detained over damaged undersea cables, allowed to leave Finland
The Eagle S oil tanker, which is thought to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," was allowed to leave Finland's waters after it was detained on suspicion of sabotaging undersea Baltic cables, the Agence France-Presse news agency reported on March 2. Finnish authorities announced that there were "no longer grounds" to continue detaining the Russian-linked vessel Eagle S, though their criminal investigation remains ongoing. Three of the eight suspected individuals from the ship's crew have been barred from leaving Finland as authorities continue to probe the incident. In January, the Swedish Navy found an anchor at the site of the sabotaged cables in the Baltic Sea. Finnish authorities suspect the Eagle S intentionally dragged its anchor along dozens of kilometers of the Baltic seabed, according to AFP. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," a network of ships that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent Western sanctions and continue exporting oil and gas. These vessels operate under opaque ownership structures, making them difficult to track and raising significant security and environmental concerns. In mid-January, senior officials from three nations said that recent damage to undersea cables was likely the result of accidents rather than deliberate sabotage by Russia. However, some analysts and officials believe the damage is potentially linked to Russia's broader hybrid warfare strategy—a blend of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and covert operations to stir discord in the West. Read also: Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
