HSwMS Gävle (K22)

HSwMS Gävle (K22) was a Gävle-class corvette in the Swedish Navy. Gävle (K22), along with her sister ship Sundsvall (K21), were primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare. These ships represented a significant upgrade in Swedish naval capabilities during the Cold War era, focusing on advanced sonar and weaponry systems to counter potential submarine threats in the Baltic Sea.

The Gävle-class corvettes displaced approximately 1,450 tons and had a length of around 82 meters. They were armed with a 120mm automatic gun, anti-submarine torpedoes, depth charges, and later, surface-to-surface missiles. Their sensor suite included advanced sonar systems for detecting and tracking submarines, along with radar for surface and air surveillance.

HSwMS Gävle (K22) served in the Swedish Navy for several decades, participating in numerous exercises and operations within the Baltic Sea. Throughout her service life, she underwent several modernization programs to update her weapon systems and sensor capabilities to keep pace with evolving threats. The ship was eventually decommissioned and scrapped, but her legacy remains as a key component of Swedish naval history and a vital part of the nation’s defense during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.