In Milan, Sweden plans to prioritize research on underwater technologies like mine countermeasures and submarine-related systems in 2024, with studies pending on the Navy’s capabilities in that domain. Saab, a Swedish defense contractor, has signed a contract with the country’s defense acquisition agency to conduct concept development studies focused on new technologies for submarine-related capabilities. The company’s ongoing work on Sweden’s new submarines could benefit from the study’s results.
Saab signed a deal in 2015 with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to build two new Type A26 submarines for the country’s naval forces, with the delivery date of the first submarine reportedly postponed to the 2027-2028 time frame. Meanwhile, Sweden’s pending NATO membership could offer its experience in navigating the Baltic Sea as a key defense asset to the alliance, and the Swedish Navy currently operates five diesel-electric submarines.
Swedish defense officials are also interested in the acquisition of light, autonomous, underwater vehicles to meet the mine countermeasure needs of its armed forces. Nations are increasingly turning to drones for the dangerous work of disabling sea mines. NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, based in Italy, has been conducting tests to determine how feasible the use of high-resolution sonars mounted on sea drones is for the identification and classification of mines. Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo is a Europe correspondent for Defense News, covering a wide range of topics related to military procurement and international security, and specializing in reporting on the aviation sector while being based in Milan, Italy.
