Tapper-class patrol boat

The Tapper class are a class of patrol boats in service with the Swedish Navy since the 1990s (the word "tapper" means "brave" in Swedish).

Design
Tapper-class boats' first function is to protect and patrol the Swedish coastal waters. Their armament includes 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, anti-submarine rockets, naval mines and depth charges.

Because of their small size of 22 m and displacement of 62 tons. these patrol boats can operate in extremely shallow water.

These patrol boats have a crew of eight sailors - consisting of four officers and four ratings. Further, they can accommodate ten passengers.

History
From 1993 to 1999 a total of twelve ships were constructed and entered service with the Swedish Navy and amphibious corps. The class was set to be retired in 2014 but after the Russian intervention in Ukraine and Russian military build-up in the Baltic Sea, it was decided that the boats would remain in service and be modified as well.

In 2020 the first six boats of the class had a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade program in which they were equipped - among other things - with the Kongsberg Maritime sonar for anti-submarine warfare.