The Västergötland class of diesel-electric submarines entered service in 1987 in the Swedish Navy allowing the last Draken II class of subs to be retired.
The original four ships of the class (Västergötland, Hälsingland, Södermanland, and Östergötland) were built between 1983 and 1988 by Kockums AB. The latter two have undergone comprehensive refits, including the insertion of a new hull section with an air-independent propulsion system equipped with Stirling engines. They have been recommissioned in 2003–2004 as the new .
Västergötland and Hälsingland were put in reserve until November 2005, when they were sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy as the . They were refitted to Södermanland class standards and received additional climatisation for use in tropical waters, and relaunched in 2009–2010.
Östergötland was decommissioned in 2021, leaving Södermanland as the last remaining ship of the class in Swedish service.[1]
| Ship name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Service | Refit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Västergötland | 10 January 1983 | 19 July 1986 | 27 November 1987 | 1st Submarine flotilla | Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy 2005 (deal finished 2008);Recommissioned as Archer-class submarines | Active |
| Hälsingland | 1 January 1984 | 31 August 1987 | 20 October 1988 | Active | ||
| Södermanland | 1985 | 12 April 1988 | 21 April 1989 | Refitted 2003–2004 to Södermanland class | Active | |
| Östergötland | 1986 | 9 December 1988 | Decommissioned 2021; In reserve | |||