30/03/2026 – VSTEP has delivered a new modular and scalable navigation simulator environment for the Swedish Navy at Sjöstridsskolan in Karlskrona, supporting the modernisation of navigation learning and expanding training capacity across multiple stages of development. The new facility combines the Nacos Platinum navigation system with the NAUTIS simulator system, creating broader training capacity and giving instructors more flexibility in how they design, run, observe, and compare exercises across different learner groups.

For a navy, navigation learning requires more than procedural knowledge. It prepares people to operate with judgement, consistency, and confidence in conditions that reflect real service demands. As training needs grow and older systems reach their limits, there is increasing value in learning environments that are realistic, scalable, and still give instructors strong control.

That is the value behind the new navigation simulator environment delivered for the Swedish Navy at Sjöstridsskolan in Karlskrona. The new facility replaces an older simulator setup with a more modern, modular, and integrated environment designed to support navigation learning across multiple stages of development, from foundational instruction to more advanced bridge roles.

The solution includes 8 NAUTIS Multi Task simulators (Class B+), 16 NAUTIS Desk simulators, and 4 NAUTIS Instructor stations. Together, they create broader training capacity while giving instructors more flexibility in how they design, run, observe, and compare exercises across different learner groups.

A modern learning environment for navies

Sjöstridsskolan plays a central role in navigation learning and professional development in Karlskrona. As training demand grows, there is increasing value in simulator environments that can support more learners, more vessel types, and more structured scenario design. Public information from both FMV and Swedish media describes the new simulator environment as a way to increase capacity, improve realism, and better meet the needs of future training cohorts. (fmv.se)

For VSTEP, the project reflects the value of combining scalable simulation software with integrated bridge systems and a service commitment that supports the customer over time. The new facility combines the Nacos Platinum navigation system with the NAUTIS simulator system, bringing together navigation functionality and simulator control in one coherent environment. (fmv.se)

That integrated approach was one of the key strengths of the project. Rather than replacing older equipment with another isolated training tool, the Swedish Navy invested in a modular environment that can support realistic navigation practice, structured exercise design, and long term capability development.

More realism, more control, more progression

The public handover messages from FMV and SVT point to improved realism through more advanced vessel models, environments, and exercise possibilities. According to SVT, the simulator environment includes 29 vessel types, with the option to add more over time, and allows instructors to place learners in locations across Sweden or elsewhere in the world. That makes it possible to prepare for a specific operating area before going there in real life, which gives instructors more flexibility to tailor exercises to specific learning goals and contexts. In its own coverage of the new facility, Sveriges Radio also noted the learner perspective, with cadets describing the simulator as more educational than classroom based learning alone. (sverigesradio.se) (svt.se)

For navies, that matters because navigation learning depends on progression and repetition. Instructors need to be able to deliver the same situation to multiple learners in parallel, compare how they respond, and build competence step by step. In other cases, they may need to run connected simulations in the same environment so learners can take on different roles within one shared operational picture. That combination of repeatability and concurrency is where a more advanced simulator environment becomes especially valuable.

This is also where the value of modernisation becomes clear. Replacing an older simulator environment is more than a technology refresh. Public reporting from Sjöstridsskolan highlights another benefit as well: learners can progress faster and arrive in real operations with a shorter ramp up. The same reporting also notes that this kind of learning is more cost effective than relying on real boats for early practice, especially when the most basic mistakes can be corrected safely in the simulator first. (svt.se)

A broader signal for navies as a learning domain

This project is important because of both its scale and what it represents. It shows that modern simulator environments are becoming an increasingly important part of how navies expand learning capacity while maintaining realism, control, and consistency.

For VSTEP, it is also a strong example of the value of a holistic solution. The strength of the project was not in one component alone, but in the combination of simulation software, hardware and systems integration, and the services package required to deliver and support the facility successfully over time. That combination helped create a learning environment that is better equipped for today’s training needs and more adaptable for tomorrow’s.

On behalf of VSTEP, the CCO, Tije Vos, said, “Navies need learning environments that are realistic, modular, and scalable. This complex project shows how our integrated NAUTIS solution can strengthen navigation learning, support structured progression, and give instructors more control over how competence is built. We are excited about the potential this learning environment helps unlock for the Swedish Navy as it continues to modernise and expand navigation learning.”

Why this matters for naval learning

For navies, simulation gives instructors the ability to shape progression, repeat critical situations, compare learner responses, and build competence with greater consistency. That becomes even more important when more people need to be trained across different stages of development without losing realism or control.

With this new integrated simulator environment in Karlskrona, the Swedish Navy is better positioned to support navigation learning at scale in a setting that combines realism, modularity, and modern system integration. For VSTEP, it is a meaningful example of how simulation can help navies build capability, modernise learning environments, and prepare more people with confidence.