HSwMS Neptun

Neptun is an underwater vessel at the Naval Museum in Karlskrona, Sweden, that once served in the Swedish fleet and is now open to visitors. The craft has a long, sleek body with a small tower rising above the smooth surface, and inside it reveals narrow corridors, tiny cabins, and instruments that once guided its operations.

The craft was launched in 1980 and served during the eighties, a period of heightened tension in the region. After her active service ended in 1998, she remained docked for several years until she was handed over to the museum in 2007 and prepared for public viewing.

Locals see this vessel as part of a period when Sweden watched its coastlines closely and kept an eye on possible dangers beneath the waves. The craft now stands in a large hall where visitors walk around it and picture how the men on board worked and slept.

The museum sits on the island of Stumholmen, which is reachable by car or on foot across a bridge. When you walk through the exhibit, wear comfortable shoes because the spaces are tight and winding, and you often step over high thresholds.

In 1981, a Soviet craft ran aground near Karlskrona, making headlines in Sweden and raising public awareness about the importance of such vessels. At that time, this underwater craft was already in service and took part in the ongoing monitoring efforts in the area.