Saab lays keel for first A26 submarine
HSwMS Blekinge taking shape at Saab Kockums. (Photo: Saab)
Saab Kockums in Sweden has laid the keel for the country’s first Blekinge-class A26 submarine at its shipyard in Karlskrona.
A keel laying ceremony was held on 30 June at the Saab Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona, Sweden, for the first-in-class A26 submarine, Blekinge.
The latest milestone means the two aft-most sections of the submarines have been joined together, representing around 40% of the submarine’s final length.
Blekinge is one of three submarines in production at Kockums concurrently with the second-in-class boat and the MLU of the third Gotland-class submarine HSwMS Halland.
Saab is building the A26 submarines in five roughly equally sized segments which are then welded together working back to front.
The ceremony was attended by officials
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV]()
Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV
Singapore is building space for uncrewed systems and future technologies into its new Sentinel-class OPVs, reflecting a wider move towards adaptable vessels capable of maintaining persistent maritime presence.
-
![From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next]()
From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next
Saildrone’s new Copenhagen base is one sign of a larger shift, as navies globally turn to uncrewed vessels for surveillance and mine clearance.
-
![Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement]()
Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement
The Indian Navy's P17B programme is expected to combine greater weapons capacity with a competitive domestic construction model, although key systems could remain dependent on international supply chains.
