SAAB: Mid-life upgrade for third Gotland-class submarine under contract

The Swedish procurement authority Försvarsmaktens has commissioned Saab with the mid-life upgrade of "HMS Halland", the third submarine in the Gotland class. This was announced by the Swedish defence company on 18 March.

"HMS Uppland" was the second submarine of the Swedish Navy's Gotland class to complete its refit in December 2021. The three Gotland-class submarines were built at Kockums in Malmö between 1992 and 1996, with "HMS Halland" entering service on 1 October 1997. "HMS Gotland" was able to demonstrate its capabilities in exercises with the US Navy during a long-term deployment on the US West Coast between 2005 and 2007.

The A26 or Blekinge-class submarines, photo saab.com

In 2021, Saab was awarded the contract to expand the capabilities of the two A26 or Blekinge-class submarines that have been programmed since 2015. With this design, the Swedish company is bidding for the successor to the Walrus-class submarines in the Netherlands.

The total value of the order to modernise the Gotland class amounts to SEK 1.1 billion (105.5 million euros). According to the company, the overhaul and upgrade of the weapon deployment system is planned. Details are not known. According to the factory, more than 20 new systems, which are also used in the A26 class, will be installed in the modernisation of the Gotland class.