Celsius receives order for two stealth technology corvettes

Order for two "stealth technology" corvettes confirmed Celsius business unit Kockums Naval Systems has received an order for two additional Visby-class corvettes from FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration). The order is worth in the region of MSEK 900. Confirmation and signature of this contract means that Kockums Naval Systems now has a total of six Visby-class corvettes on order. The vessels are being designed according to "stealth" principles. Built in carbon fibre, they incorporate stealth technology, making them extremely difficult to detect with radar. The Visby-class corvette concept has been developed as the result of collaboration between FMV, the Royal Swedish Navy, the Swedish defence industry, the Swedish Defence Research Establishment and Stockholm's Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), who are jointly responsible for technological development and planning. The Visby-class corvette has attracted considerable international attention, being the first "stealth" vessel in series production. The Visby-class corvette is a multi-mission naval vessel, able to operate as a surface attack craft, submarine hunter and minehunter/sweeper, as well as carrying out surveillance, protection and control duties. For further information, please contact Kjell Göthe, Vice President/Corporate Communications at Celsius, on + 46 (0)8 - 463 00 19 or + 46 (0)70- 583 95 44 (mobile). Celsius is an international advanced-technology and knowledge-based corporation, which in close interaction with its customers develops, manufactures and maintains advanced systems, products and services within core areas Defence and Aviation Services. Based on a platform of comprehensive competence, new businesses with strong growth potential are developed for the military and commercial markets. Celsius, with sales of about SEK 14 billion, has some 11,000 employees. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/31/19990831BIT00430/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/31/19990831BIT00430/bit0002.pdf