The Göteborg program expands from two ships to six as war approaches

Three successive two-ship orders grew the Göteborg class as the international situation worsened: two in peacetime, two more as war became likely, and another two after war began. That sequence made destroyer procurement part of Sweden's visible readiness posture. Three 120 mm guns, three twin 25 mm Bofors mounts, two triple 21-inch torpedo mounts, and capacity for 20 mines gave the class several ways to threaten a coastal opponent. Top speed reached 39 knots. Endurance was 1,200 nautical miles at 20 knots or 1,600 nautical miles at 16 knots, giving a choice between faster movement and greater range. Later gun improvements and anti-submarine frigate conversions extended the ships' usefulness, although the disaster-damaged Göteborg was an exception to the extensive rebuilding.