Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the last phase of the production as well as additional scope for material and services for the two Blekinge-class (A26) submarines previously ordered by Sweden. The order value is approximately SEK 9.6 billion with the vast majority of deliveries taking place in the period 2026-2032.
“Saab is currently building the world’s most advanced conventional submarines for Sweden. Following excellent cooperation between Saab and FMV we have ensured that Sweden has a state-of-the-art underwater capability which will contribute to keeping our nation’s waters safe for decades to come,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
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Imagine how long Osborne would have extended the following timings if a Collins 2.0 was selected in the 2010s.
With hindsight, for Sweden’s own parent navy we have https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blekinge-class_submarine#History “On 16 June 2010, the Swedish Parliament authorised the government to procure two new… A26 submarines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blekinge-class_submarine#Boats :
– the first A26, Blekinge, is due to be commissioned in 2031. 21 years since it was authorised.
– while the second A26, Skane, is due to be commissioned in “2035” . 24 years since it was authorised.
I don’t think Osborne, not having built a sub for decades, could have compressed these extended build times.
The Swedish program is a bit of a mystery. It was on-off-on-off for a number of years, then was happening at a mad rush – then paused and rebaselined with a delay of several years with (from memory) first delivery in 2026. I have absolutely no idea why there has been a further delay, but I’ll ask.