First Steel Cut For Saab Kockums A26 Submarine
Defence and security company Saab has begun construction of the world’s most modern submarine programme, the A26. On Friday 4 September 2015 the first steel was cut for the first submarine’s hull.
The construction phase for the Swedish Navy’s A26 next-generation submarine has officially begun. On 4 September 2015 at the Saab Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona, the first steel for the new vessel was cut. This is a key milestone for the world’s most modern submarine programme.
The A26 is a next-generation submarine with the ability to perform in all oceans and across a broad spectrum of conflict environments. Along with its traditional load of mines and torpedoes, the submarine can be equipped with missiles. Perhaps the most unique A26 design feature is its Multi Mission Portal™, for the launch and retrieval of diverse mission payloads such as manned and unmanned vehicles. The A26 submarine will be a strong intelligence-gathering platform within the wider defense network.
“We have left the design phase behind and begun construction of the A26, a pillar of Sweden’s future naval defence. The A26 is a new standard bearer; a step forward in the Swedish tradition of modular design and building, it ensures maximum operational effectiveness with a lower lifecycle cost. With the A26 you can always adapt the submarine to the mission in hand. Now that production has started it is a clear signal to other potential customers around the world that Saab is ready to deliver to them as well,” says Gunnar Wieslander, head of Saab’s business unit Saab Kockums.
On 30 June 2015, Saab signed contracts with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to construct, verify and deliver two new Type A26 submarines to a total order value of SEK7.6 billion. The first delivery will be 2022.
A26 submarine for the Swedish Navy is the world’s most modern submarine programme. The submarines will be powered by conventional diesel-electric propulsion machinery and equipped with the Kockums Stirling AIP (air-independent propulsion) system. The Stirling system makes the A26 very stealthy and difficult to detect. The A26 boosts all the traditional operational capabilities of a submarine and is also a strong intelligence-gathering platform within the wider defence network. Its proven modular design ensures availability, with efficient through-life upgrades and adaptations, and low life cycle costs.
Video of first steel cut (b-roll)
Images of first steel cut attached and in Saab’s Media portal.
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