Saab unlocks final phase of Swedish Blekinge-class submarine project

October 14, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Swedish defense company Saab has received a new order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to complete the final phase of production and provide additional materials and services for the two Blekinge-class (A26) submarines currently under construction.

Valued at approximately SEK 9.6 billion ($875 million), the contract covers work scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2032. The agreement marks a major milestone in Sweden’s effort to modernize its submarine fleet and maintain a strong underwater defence capability.

“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,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

The Blekinge-class submarines are being built at Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona. They are designed for a wide range of missions, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and underwater warfare, and will form the backbone of Sweden’s submarine fleet for years ahead.

The program officially began in 2015 when FMV ordered two submarines from Saab. The vessels are designed to replace the ageing Gotland-class units.

Each Blekinge-class submarine will be approximately 66 meters long with a beam of 6.75 meters and a displacement of around 1,900 tonnes when submerged. The standard crew complement is 26, but the submarines can accommodate up to 35 personnel when special operations teams or additional specialists are on board.

The class is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system combined with Saab’s Kockums-developed Stirling Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. This enables the submarines to remain submerged for more than two weeks without surfacing, giving them significant endurance and stealth in both littoral and open-sea operations.

The keel of the first submarine, HSwMS Blekinge, was laid in June 2022, followed by HSwMS Skåne. Initial deliveries were planned for 2027 and 2028, but updated agreements between Saab and FMV have extended the delivery timeline to 2031 and 2033.