On October 13, Saab announced the receipt of a new order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering the final production phase, as well as the additional procurement of materials and services for the two Blekinge-class (A26) submarines previously ordered by Sweden.
The contract is valued at approximately 9.6 billion Swedish kronor (around USD 1 billion), with most deliveries expected between 2026 and 2032. “Saab is currently building the world’s most advanced conventional submarines for Sweden. Thanks to the excellent cooperation between Saab and FMV, we have ensured that Sweden will have a next-generation submarine capability that will help keep our nation’s waters secure for decades to come,” stated Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
As reported in March, construction of the two new A26-class attack submarines, HMS Blekinge and HMS Skåne, is being carried out at Saab Kockums’ facilities in Karlskrona. This program represents one of the most significant naval modernization projects for the Swedish Navy. However, recent reports from the Swedish Armed Forces have indicated new schedule delays, estimating that the delivery of the units will be postponed to the next decade.
According to a budget report submitted by military authorities, “the project is delayed, which will require a renegotiation in terms of schedule and cost… The consequences of the expected delivery delays are currently being assessed by the Armed Forces.” Under the revised projections, delivery of the submarines is now expected between 2031 and 2035, compared to the original 2026–2030 timeframe.
The development of the A26 class aims to gradually replace the Gotland- and Västergötland-class submarines, commissioned in the 1980s and 1990s respectively. In light of delays in the A26 program, the Swedish Navy implemented a mid-life modernization plan for its entire submarine fleet to extend operational service until the new units enter service.
In this context, Saab completed in February the upgrade of all three Gotland-class submarines — HMS Gotland, HMS Uppland, and HMS Halland — as well as HMS Södermanland of the Västergötland class. The modernization included the replacement of more than twenty core systems, including sensors and command systems, with an estimated investment of USD 116 million. Several of these systems will also be integrated into the A26 class, allowing their functionality to be validated before final incorporation.
With this new funding allocation, Saab moves forward into the final production phase of the A26 Blekinge-class submarines, which are intended to strengthen the Swedish Navy’s strategic and technological submarine capabilities for the coming decades.
Cover image courtesy of Saab.
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