Swedish Coastal Artillery

The Swedish Coastal Artillery, Kustartilleriet or KA in Swedish, was an independent branch of the Swedish Navy that handled coastal defence. Its origin lies in the Archipelago Artillery raised in 1866, and the modern branch was formed in 1902 from the Archipelago Artillery, the Marine Regiment and parts of the Artillery. Its traditions go back to the coastal fortresses in use around Sweden since the 15th century, and the real first move toward an independent branch was the creation of the Vaxholm Artillery Corps in 1889. In 1902 it received a permanent organization within the navy, with the Vaxholm Coastal Artillery Regiment and the Karlskrona Coastal Artillery Regiment manning fortresses such as Vaxholm, Karlskrona and Älvsborg. On 1 July 2000 it was disbanded and reorganised as the Swedish Amphibious Corps, a change meant to reflect the new tasks after the end of the Cold War.