A26 submarine program back from the dead?

[Grey Havoc]

Via MilitaryPhotos.net: http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/03/20/sweden-invests-in-naval-capacity-and-baltic-sea/25093841/

In its funding proposal, the Armed Forces Command (AFC), envisaged a more expansive naval-strengthening plan costing up to $2 billion. The government's response has been to announce the purchase of two new A26-class submarines. The capital budget earmarked for the A26-class submarine acquisition amounts to $950 million.

Saab-Kockums, which signed in June 2014 a letter of intent covering the A26's design and development, is expected to secure the contract and deliver the two submarines by 2022.

The Saab letter of intent reached with FMV, Sweden's defense material administration, is focused on developing Sweden's underwater capability through 2024. The letter includes support, development, design and production of submarines and other underwater systems, corresponding to potential orders of up to $1.3 billion.

"In terms of capital funding and specific investments in defense, this is the biggest single decision that we will make during the lifetime of this government. This is a critical decision that will ensure Swedish submarine capability beyond 2030. The next-generation submarine will comprise the very best in advanced technologies," said defense minister Peter Hultqvist.

The old MilitaryPhotos.net thread on the A26 (I thought we had one as well but I can't find it): http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?75712-New-Swedish-submarine-project-A26


Here's the Unbuilt Kockums Submarines: Viking Class and Swedish - Submarine 2000 'flatfish' concept threads though for a glimpse of the development background.

 

[fightingirish]

Features of A26 submarine to be built by @Saab Kockums for the Swedish Navy. Order for two this year? @ShephardNews
Pics from IDEF next week and free news trial

Source: https://twitter.com/sweeneygov

 

[covert_shores]

A26 cutaway with a few interesting features. Article http://www.hisutton.com/A26.html

 

[Grey Havoc]

A bit of the history of the program can be found in the below thead.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/swedish-ub-2000-and-viking-projects.2254/

 

[Foo Fighter]

Not mush room for the crew.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Naval Group, Saab and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems were in December 2019 shortlisted to compete to supply four boats to replace the Royal Netherlands Navy’s four ageing Walrus-class submarines. Naval Group was offering a conventional variant of its Barracuda design known as Blacksword; Saab’s business area Kockums, teamed with Damen, was proposing the C718: An enlarged expeditionary derivative of the A26 submarine being built for the Royal Swedish Navy; and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has bid an evolved ‘Expeditionary’ variant of the Class 212CD design already ordered by Germany and Norway.

Netherlands: Political support for submarine construction by Naval Group - Naval News

French company Naval Group will build four new submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy, as the Dutch House of Representatives decided on 11 June.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

From the December 2023 Naval News article on the C718 design linked in the quote in my last post:

ORIGINAL CAPTION: Saab and Damen were showcasing for the first time a scale model of the new C71 design during NEDS 2023.

The C718 design being proposed for the RNLN is a variant of the new C71 design family which itself is an enlarged ‘expeditionary’ derivative of the new-generation A26 Blekinge class submarine being built for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). Compared to its Swedish progenitor, the C718 features a larger hull diameter, increased length, and a displacement of over 3,000 tonnes.

Saab/Damen have made no official comment on their preferred combat system supplier, other than to say it is a “proven [system] relied upon by major submarine powers”. However, a panel on the Lockheed Martin stand at NEDS strongly suggests that the US company is in the frame for C718:

ORIGINAL CAPTION: Poster on display on Lockheed Martin stand during NEDS 2023. Naval News photo.

The Saab/Damen C718 bid has also received support from the UK government. While the two companies will not comment in any detail, this is thought likely to relate to the release of sonar technology drawn from the Sonar 2076 system already in service on Royal Navy submarines.

 

[zen]

Fascinating, how deep is the UK Sweden relationship?

 

[Grey Havoc]

On another note, from back in April:

A major new proposal is the future of the submarine service. The Committee notes that the two A26 Blekinge-class submarines will enter service around 2030 to replace the serving submarine HMS Södermanland and the mothballed HMS Östergötland, a delay of six to eight years compared to the plan upon contract signing in 2015. By that time, a new submarine design known as “Submarine 30” is to be created for deliveries starting approximately 2038, which will replace the three vessels of the A19 Gotland-class. The possibility of growing the submarine force to six vessels is to be studied, with four submarines of the new class a possibility.


Based on reporting to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, the new design would be smaller than the A26 Blekinge but carry more weapons. This is a noted change, as earlier the Swedish Navy has argued for a third A26 Blekinge-class submarine to be bought. A key feature of the A26 is the ability to allow divers to exit through a multi-mission portal, meaning this would indicate a change in requirements.

Sweden Looking at More Surface Combatants and Submarines - Naval News

Sweden Parliamentary Defence Committee has presented their proposal for the period of 2026 to 2030.

www.navalnews.com