Comments: The oldest SSNs in the Royal Navy, the Swiftsures are fine boats that have been upgraded in refits to almost the same standard as the Trafalgars.
Class name: Trafalgar Batch II (?)
Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): [?] 5,200 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): (unknown)
Armament: Five 533mm torpedo tubes with 30 weapons
Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 15,000 SHP
Speed (knots): [?] 30 (submerged)
Number in class:?
Users: United Kingdom
Comments: The big "If" in the future of the Royal Navy. These boats, if they are ever built, will be powered by the British PWR-2 reactor, and may be equipped with cruise missiles.
Class name: Upholder
Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness; Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,185/2,400
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 230.6/70.3 Beam: 24.9/7.6 Draft: 18/5.5
Armament: Six 533mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 5,400 SHP
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 4
Users: United Kingdom
Comments: A really nice class of SSKs, these boats are probably the finest diesel-electric submarines in the world. Fully the equal of the Trafalgars in sensors and armament, they may be sold off to export customers.
Class name: Vanguard
Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/ VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 15,850 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 489.7/149.3 Beam: 42/12.8 Draft: 33.1/10.1
Armament: Sixteen Trident II (D-5) SLBMs; four 533mm torpedo tubes with [?] 18 weapons
Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one pumpjet propulsor; 27,500 SHP
Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)
Number in class: 1 + 3
Users: United Kingdom
Comments: These are probably going to be the last class of SSBNs ever built for the Royal Navy. Representing everything ever learned by the Royal Navy in submarine design, these elegantly designed boats have something of a "big shoulders" look because of the way the bow planes are mounted.
Class name: Resolution
Producer (country/manufacturer): United Kingdom/VSEL, Barrow-in-Furness
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 7,600/8,500
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 424.8/129.5 Beam: 33.1/10.1 Draft: 30/9.2
Armament: Sixteen Polaris (A-3) SLBMs; six 533mm torpedo tubes with [?] 18 weapons
Machinery: One PWR with steam turbines driving one 7-bladed screw; 27,500 SHP
Speed (knots): 25 (submerged)
Number in class: 3
Users: United Kingdom
Comments: The old warhorses of the British submarine force, the units (three remain in commission as of this writing) of the "R" class have been keeping the peace for over a quarter century now. Being retired as the new "V" class boats come on line, they are roughly equivalent to the U.S. Lafayette-class SSBNs.
Sweden
Of all the nations that operate submarines, none is probably less understood and more underestimated than Sweden. The Swedes have always had an independent streak when it comes to defense issues, and this is certainly true of their submarine force. At the moment, they produce some of the most advanced conventionally powered submarines in the world. Their boats have a decidedly inshore design philosophy, consistent with the Swedish requirements of operating in the Baltic. In addition, the Swedes are leaders in non-nuclear Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. Currently they are finishing development of the Gotland (A-19 class) boats, equipped with a Sterling AIP system to keep the batteries charged for longer submerged endurance. Like all other nations, the Swedes are aggressively marketing their boats for export. They have had a particular success with the sale of six boats (the Collins class) to Australia.
Class name: Gotland (A-19 class)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,300 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 172.2/52.5 Beam: 19.9/6.1 Draft: 18.4/5.6
Armament: Six 533mm and three 400mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,500 SHP; Sterling engine AIP system to be installed
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 0 + 3
Users: Sweden
Comments: Essentially an updated A-17 class, with improved sensors and combat systems and the incorporation of two Sterling engine-driven generators for improved slow-speed submerged endurance.
Class name: Vastergotland (A-17 class)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo, and Karlskrona Varvet
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,070/1,140
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 159.1/48.5 Beam: 19.9/6.1 Draft: 18.4/5.6
Armament: Six 533mm and three 400mm torpedo tubes with 18 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 4
Users: Sweden
Comments: Essentially improved Nackens, these boats are quite capable for Baltic operations.
Class name: Nacken (A-14 class)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Sweden/Kockums, Malmo, and Karlskrona Varvet
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,030/1,125
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 162.4/49.5 Beam: 18.7/5.7 Draft: 13.4/4.1
Armament: Six 533mm and two 400mm torpedo tubes with 12 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; [?] 4,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 3
Users: Sweden
Comments: The oldest SSKs in the Swedish Navy. Nacken was the trial submarine for the Sterling engine AIP system, which will be incorporated in the Gotland class.
Netherlands
The Dutch enjoy an outstanding submarine tradition, with particular pride in the numerous enemy sinkings to their credit during World War II. In fact, during the early days of 1942 in the Pacific, the tiny Dutch force actually sank more ships than the entire U.S. sub force. Today the Dutch have an excellent fleet of SSKs and are aggressively trying to market them overseas.
Class name: Walrus
Producer (country/manufacturer): Netherlands/Rotterdamse Droogdok Maatschaooij
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,450/2,800
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 222.2/67.7 Beam: 27.6/8.4 Draft: 23/7