ULA class submarine

[john sefton]

In line with the Navy's Fleet Plan of 1960, the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) approved the building of fifteen new submarines during the period from 1964 to 1967. These were of a German type and called the Kobben class.

Further additions, also German in type, were made to the fleet between 1989 and 1992.
These Ula class submarines are often described as the world's most advanced coastal submarines, with an official diving depth of 250 metres. They can in fact dive much deeper - down, to 500 metres it is claimed.

The stamp, value kr. 15.50 depicts a Submarine of the "ULA CLASS". The most modern in the Norwegian Navy. Upgrading is continuously taking place.

This class was built in Germany; by the Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden, in the period 1987-1992.
Specification: Displacement 1040 tons surface, 1150 submerged. Dimensions: 59 metres x 5,4 metres, draught 4,6 metres, machinery, 2 diesel engines 2700 HP, one Siemens electro motor 3000 HP. Speed: surface 11 knots, submerged 23 knots. Armament 8 torpedo tubes.
The development has been a cooperation between the French, German and the Norwegian Navies.
The diving depth is said to be 250 metres.

The following sisters are in operation under the Norwegian Navy.
Pennant number S 300, KNM "Ula", 5-301, KNM "Utsira", 5-302, KNM "Utstein", 5-303, KNM "Utvaer", 5-304, KNM "Uthaug", and S 305, KNM "Uredd".
(KNM="Kongelige Norsk° Marine" Royal Norwegian Navy (ship))

The history of Norwegian submarines really began in 1808, when a village genius and blacksmith, Mikkel Hallsteinson Lofthus from Hardanger, designed the first known Norwegian underwater boat. He submitted drawings to a society in Bergen that promoted useful products, but the boat was never built. There was too little interest and not enough money. However this was put right 101 years later.

Norway Philatelic and Log Book June 09

Norway 2009 SG?

[petecc]

John

This submarine has been identified as S 303 UTVAER.

Peter C