The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded contracts worth Skr8.6bn ($1.03bn) to Saab AB for the construction of two new Type A26 submarines and a mid-life upgrade for two Gotland-class submarines.
Work on the two A26s is to be completed by 2024. Type A26 submarines are nearly 207 feet in length, 21 feet in the beam and have an endurance of 45 days or 18 days underwater. They have a test depth of about 658 feet.
This new development will see Saab construct, verify, and deliver two new Type A26 submarines for the Swedish Navy for a total order value of SEK7.6bn ($912.84m).
'Extreme stealth is at the heart of the Kockums A26 submarine. Sweden is unleashing its GHOST (Genuine HOlistic STealth) technology, thus making the Kockums A26 submarine effectively invisible," says Saab AB statement.
They will be conventional diesel-electric submarines equipped with the Kockums Stirling AIP (air-independent propulsion) system for enhanced stealth. 'Sweden has long experience in designing very silent submarines,' the firm says.
Saab Security and Defence Solutions business area head Gunilla Fransson said: "The A26 will be a unique and high-tech submarine with proven modular design, which gives the platform a high level of availability at a low life-cycle cost.
"The submarine will have long-endurance submerged performance and excellent maneuverability in all waters."
In addition, the company will be responsible for performing a mid-life upgrade on two of Sweden's existing Gotland-class submarines, including an overhaul and upgrade of the combat system to a total order value of SEK2.1bn ($252.23m).