Ula-class submarine
Ula-class submarines
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| Class overview | |
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| Name: | Ula class |
| Builders: | Kongsberg/Nordseewerke |
| Operators: |
 Royal Norwegian Navy
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| Preceded by: | Kobben class |
| Succeeded by: | U212-CD class |
| Built: | 1987–1992 |
| In commission: | April 1989 – present |
| Completed: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 59 m (193 ft 7 in) |
| Beam: | 5.40 m (17 ft 9 in) |
| Draft: | 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: |
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| Range: | 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Test depth: | 200 m (656 ft)+ |
| Complement: | 21 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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| Notes: | Unit cost: 700,000,000 NOK; US$ 84.6 million |
The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of six vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernise the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the aging Kobben-class submarines. The contract was signed on 30 September 1982 for six boats with Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. An option for two more submarines was included in the original deal, however, it was never picked up.
The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway and assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210.
When commissioned, the Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines to have enough bunks for the entire crew and a shower.
The Ula-class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with their relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. The Ula class is regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN.
In 1989, while undergoing trials, Ula was damaged by a practice torpedo. In March 1991, Uredd was involved in an accident while docking. In February 1992, Uredd suffered a control room fire.
In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence-gathering ability surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be highest of all ships taking part in the operation. This mission highlighted a need for better temperature regulation for crew comfort in warm waters. As a result, HNoMS Ula was "tropicalized" by the installation of new cooling systems, and two more of the class designated for "tropicalization".
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Wikipedia