UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
Kongsberg has signed a contract with Saab to provide ASW and diver detection sonars to the Finnish Navy’s Pohjanmaa-class corvettes (pictured) currently under development.
The SS2030 and SD9500 sonars are used for deployment in shallow waters and have acoustic properties.
Thomas Dahle, Director of Sales at Kongsberg, said: ‘We are very pleased to have been selected for another sonar programme for the Finnish Navy and to further strengthen our position as a principal supplier of shallow-water ASW, diver detection and mine-hunting equipment.’
Designed for ASW operations and capable of detecting torpedoes, the SS2030 is a hull-mounted sonar which is integrated with a Sound Propagation Model. This allows it to determine the optimal tilt settings to enhance the Probability of Detection (PoD) ratio.
On the other hand, the SD9500 is a light weight compact over-the-side dipping sonar with horizontal and vertical positioning capabilities.
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
The US Navy intends to publish a draft request for proposals in Q2 2026 and conduct an open competition for the supply of new electro-optical and infrared capabilities for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.
As new details emerge on the UK Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, three main areas of opportunity for new technology are the focal point.
Uncrewed surface vessels have shifted from a desirable capability to a critical one for navies. But should these systems be bought outright, rented as a service or rapidly built using commercial off-the-shelf components?
The Lunna House Agreement represents multiple opportunities for cooperation between the two navies, and follows on from last year’s declaration of a joint strategic partnership between the countries.
By joining the defence department, the coast guard will need to acquire new solutions and adapt its in-service capabilities to ensure interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces.