Sweden orders uncrewed surface vessels for waterway survey missions

June 16, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded a contract to BUVI Scandinavia AB for the delivery of EvoLogics Sonobot 5 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to the Swedish Armed Forces.

As disclosed, the contract, valued at SEK 43 million including options, covers the supply of complete systems as well as training and support services. The agreement also includes options for additional orders.

The procurement was managed by FMV’s Army Materiel Division in cooperation with its Naval Materiel Division.

The systems will be used primarily to survey waterways ahead of floating bridge deployment and other engineering operations, according to the officials.

Specifically, the Sonobot 5 will be employed by army engineering units to conduct hydrographic surveys and generate detailed three-dimensional maps of riverbeds and other underwater terrain. The data will be used to support planning and decision-making for military mobility operations.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in autumn 2026. Following delivery, the systems will undergo testing and evaluation in both coastal and inland environments.

“With this system, detailed 3D images of the seabed can be created in a short amount of time. This will lead to more efficient and faster decision-making data and improved field engineering capabilities within the Swedish Armed Forces,” said Gabriel Dalborg, systems engineer at FMV.

FMV said BUVI Scandinavia and EvoLogics will work with Swedish authorities to adapt and integrate the systems for operational use within the Swedish Armed Forces.