Saab wins combat boat order from Sweden
In March 2024, the Dutch Defence Ministry announced that the Netherlands would donate three CB90s to Ukraine. (Photo: Saab)
Based on the CB90 NG, the 10 vessels will be built at Docksta shipyard and will be used for a range of missions.
Saab has received an order worth approximately SEK400 million (US$37.7 million) from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 10 combat boats.
The contract period for the boats will begin this year with deliveries expected over the coming years. Saab has not confirmed the scheduled for delivery but noted that the boats would be “made continuously over the coming years”.
The boats will be based on Saab’s Combatboat (Stridsbåt) 90 (CB90) Next Generation (NG) design and will be manufactured at Saab’s Docksta shipyard.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the CB90 class of small, rapid attack boats, was designed for raiding and inshore/nearshore coastal protection operations. The first prototypes were ordered by the Swedish Navy in 1989 and were followed by dozens of units ordered by the force throughout the 1990s. The vessels have seen service in Greece, Mexico, Malaysia, Norway, Peru and Ukraine, as well as with the US Navy.
Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Kockums, commented: “Combat boats are advanced platforms that can be used for many different types of missions. We are proud that Saab’s naval capabilities continue to contribute to Sweden’s defence.”
In 2021, Saab displayed the new generation of its CB90 fast assault craft for the first time outside of Sweden at DSEI 2021 in London. At the time, Saab noted that the CB90 NG could perform a variety of tasks ranging from search for threats and rapid troop deployments, to enemy attack and ballistic protection.
The vessel, which were built on a previous generation of more than 250 boats that were in operation at the time of the exhibition, featured Trackfire RWS integration for enhanced hit performance.
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