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16 May 2024

Saab in cooperation with Babcock for the Swedish Navy’s Future Surface Combatants

2 min read

The development of the four new Surface combatants of the Luleå class for Sweden continues. Contracted by The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, Saab proceeds to manage the basic design phase of the project, supported by Babcock. The contract with Babcock follows the Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed by both parties at DSEI in September 2023.

Saab will develop a so-called basic design for the Luleå class, Babcock will support with engineering; among other things structural design and auxiliary systems. Saab’s expertise in combination with Babcock’s know-how will contribute to the new Surface Combatants capabilities.

During a visit to Babcock’s Rosyth facility in Scotland, senior representatives from Saab, the Swedish Navy, UK Royal Navy, FMV and Babcock marked the beginning of the ambitious new collaboration in naval programme delivery, which follows the Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed by Saab and Babcock at DSEI in September 2023.

“We are proud to take on the mission to start the basic design of the new Luleå-class for Sweden and happy to cooperate with Babcock in this project. This is an important collaboration between Swedish and British shipbuilders, and I am looking forward to a close teamwork to strengthen the Swedish capabilities at sea.”, said Mats Wicksell, SVP and Head of Business Area Kockums, Saab.

David Lockwood, Babcock CEO, said: “This is a hugely important programme for the Swedish Navy, Saab and Babcock. Our collective capabilities in Karlskrona and Rosyth will ensure we deliver a class-leading design for the new Lulea platforms”.

A program of this size typically involves a large number of partners and suppliers in different areas.

The new Luleå-class will complement the current Visby-class corvettes, first launched in 2000. Anti-Air Warfare will be one of the main capabilities of the new ships.

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