HSwMS Sjölejonet (1936)

HSwMS Sjölejonet was the lead ship of a class of nine naval submarines in the service of the Swedish Navy from just before World War II into the early Cold War. The submarines were ordered in response to the rising German threat to the south in the interwar period. Sjölejonet remained in service until 1959 and was sold for scrap in 1962.

Background and description
After 1930 the rise of the German threat to the south produced more investment in Sweden's military. The Swedish Navy was given more funds and new submarine designs were ordered. Sjölejonet was the lead ship of her class of submariness. The vessel measured 64.2 m long with a beam of 6.4 m and a draught of 3.4 m. Sjölejonet had a standard displacement of 580 LT and 760 LT submerged. The vessel was propelled by two propellers powered by two MAN diesel engines when surfaced creating 2100 bhp and two electric motors when submerged rated at 1000 hp. This gave the submarine a maximum speed of 16.2 kn surfaced and 10 kn submerged. The submarine had a crew of 38. Sjölejonet was armed with six 21 in torpedo tubes, three of which were situated in the bow, one in the stern and the remaining two in a single traversing deck mounting. For anti-aircraft defence, the submarines had two 40 mm guns in disappearing mounts.

In the 1950s, Sjölejonet underwent a major refit where the guns and deck torpedo tubes were removed and the conning tower was streamlined. The submarine's displacements remained the same, now 650 LT surfaced and the diesels capable of 3000 bhp and electric motors 2000 hp, but only a maximum speed of 15 kn surfaced. The number of crew was reduced to 32.

Construction and career
Constructed by Kockums MV A/Bat their shipyard in Malmö, Sweden, Sjölejonet's keel was laid down in 1935. The submarine was launched on 25 July 1936 and was commissioned on 21 August 1938. The submarine remained in service until stricken on 15 May 1959. The vessel was sold for scrap in 1962.