Sweden looks to Saab to extend life of its minehunters
A Koster-class MCMV pictured on the crane at the Saab Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona. (Photo: Saab)
Mine warfare is a crucial capability in the region, given the vast amount of unexploded ordnance in the Baltic Sea.
The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab for the life extension of two Koster-class mine countermeasures ships.
The agreement, worth SEK 350 million ($33.7 million), also includes options relating to the three-remaining ships of the class totalling SEK 270 million.
Modernisation work under the life extension contract covers exchanging systems and enhancing capabilities such as installing a new navigation radar and improving the combat system and surface sensors.
Saab Kockums head Lars Tossman said: 'The mine countermeasure ships are an important capability for Sweden and for the protection of the Baltic Sea.
'The contract means that the ships' continued availability is ensured and is a testament to Saab's competence to modify and develop capabilities on existing platforms.'
The Koster-class MCMVs were initially designated as the Landsort-class, but as five of the seven ships went through MLUs in 2009, it was renamed.
During the MLU, the ships were equipped with underwater RCVs.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the ships have a displacement of 400t and can achieve a maximum speed of 15kts.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
-
![US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”]()
US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”
Jen Gauthier, Raytheon’s VP of Naval Systems and Sustainment, told Shephard that the company is awaiting the US Navy’s green light to move “fully into full-rate production”.
-
![Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships]()
Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships
Ireland has a maritime area ten times the size of its land mass but has a limited naval capacity and faces an ongoing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. A new strategy is looking to address the challenge.
-
![How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process]()
How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process
The procurement of the future USN Golden Fleet is planned to be less bureaucratic than previous strategies, involving AI-enabled designs and scheduling tools to increase productivity and avoid delays.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
