Saab to upgrade Swedish corvettes
The Swedish Defence Material Administration has awarded Saab a contract worth $147.93 million to modify and upgrade the Swedish Marine’s Gävle class corvettes, the company announced on 30 June.
The work, which will be carried out during 2017-2020, will see the company perform a life extension of two corvettes, HMS Gävle and HMS Sundsvall, and outfit them with a new, advanced combat system.
Saab will also conduct a general inspection after the ships have been in service for 72 months.
The corvettes are designed to operate in the waters surrounding Sweden, carrying out missions including surface combat, anti-submarine warfare and air defence.
Gunnar Wieslander, SVP and head of business area Kockums, said: ‘We have a long experience in building and maintaining corvettes in steel, aluminium and in composite. The ships have good operational capabilities, high availability, long service life, and low operating costs. With a new, advanced combat system, the ships will be modernised to meet the customer’s demands.’
More from Naval Warfare
-
Red Cat expands its manufacturing capacities to surge production of UAVs and USVs
The company has invested $80 million to enhance its facilities and establish a new maritime division.
-
Zumwalt-class hypersonic missile plan progresses with demonstration set for 2027
The US Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyer is a stealth ship originally designed to consist of a fleet of 32 but has been cut back to three. Conceived for a land-attack role, it is now being fitted with a hypersonic missile capability.
-
How powerful is the US fleet of nuclear submarines compared to Russian capabilities?
Although both countries still operate Cold War-era platforms, they possess capable nuclear-powered and armed submarines and are investing in the development of new, advanced capabilities.
-
Royal Australian Navy’s plan for fleet refresh continues in the face of headwinds
Australia has selected the Mogami-class frigate from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to replace Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac-class frigates. The decision has been made as the RAN pushes to introduce delayed offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), awaits criticised Hunter-class ships and lives in the shadow of threats to the Collins-class submarine replacement efforts.