Sweden received HMS Visby, the first of the new Visby-class of stealth corvettes, on 10 June. It has no weapons and lacks most of its systems. The plan is to conduct extensive sea trials on handling and radar cross section during 2002, then take it back into the shipyard to fit the weapons and sensors during 2003. System trials would then begin in 2004 with an in-service date early in 2005. The other four boats of the class should all be in service by the end of 2007. A contract option (good through Sept 03) allows Sweden to decide to buy a sixth ship at the contract price.Stephen V Cole
