Saab restructures, launches new naval division

March 16, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Swedish defense company Saab will consolidate its naval activities into a single business area, merging operations from its Kockums division and parts of the Naval Combat Systems.

As disclosed, the company announced plans to consolidate its naval operations into a newly established business area called Naval, as part of a broader effort to strengthen its maritime capabilities and streamline its organizational structure.

The restructuring, which will take effect on April 1, 2026, will combine the activities of business area Kockums with the majority of the Naval Combat Systems unit, which currently operates within Saab’s Surveillance business area. The newly formed Naval division will be led by Mats Wicksell, who presently heads Saab’s Kockums operations.

According to Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson, the reorganization is intended to enhance the company’s ability to deliver integrated maritime solutions.

“By driving higher efficiency and accelerating innovation we are further strengthening our market position,” Johansson said in a statement announcing the change.

Saab’s naval activities have until now been spread across several units. The Kockums division is responsible for the design and production of surface combatants, submarines, and autonomous underwater vehicles, while the Naval Combat Systems unit develops combat management systems, fire control systems, secure communications, and system integration capabilities for naval platforms.

Bringing these capabilities under a single organization is expected to improve collaboration between platform development and mission systems integration, two areas increasingly intertwined as navies pursue more advanced, networked fleets and autonomous technologies.

The company said the restructuring will also allow Saab to create operational synergies, streamline internal processes, and accelerate technological innovation across its naval portfolio.

The move reflects Saab’s growing emphasis on maritime defense solutions as global demand rises for submarines, advanced combat systems, and autonomous naval platforms, areas where the company has expanded its technological capabilities and export footprint in recent years.

Last year, Saab bought local submarine parts supplier Deform to strengthen the security of supply for the Swedish defense industry.