Supported by Sweden and the United Kingdom, Saab has today submitted its proposal for the replacement of Netherland’s current submarines. The proposal comprises four advanced Expeditionary Submarines with the latest innovations and technologies and includes a cooperation with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group.
Saab’s offered solution is based on a successful, proven and future-proof design. It will incorporate the latest capabilities and technologies, whilst its truly modular design will allow for new technologies as they evolve to ensure relevance for many years to come.
Saab and Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group have cooperated since 2015 and the offer to build submarines to replace the Dutch Walrus-class is a balanced cooperation between the Netherlands and Sweden.
“The outstanding capabilities of the Expeditionary Submarine C718 meets and exceeds the Dutch needs and requirements long-term. Our offer constitutes a substantial contribution to the operational capability of the Dutch Defence Forces. Cooperation with local industry throughout the programme secures strategic autonomy for the Netherlands. These are Dutch submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy,” says Mats Wicksell, Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Kockums.
The C718 is an advanced Expeditionary Submarine that offers an unsurpassed level of endurance and exceeds the Royal Netherlands Navy needs for long-distance operations, sufficient accommodation, crew comfort and increased weapon payload capability.
As part of the proposal, Saab offers a proven and integrated weapon launching system and one of the best sensor-systems in the world. Saab’s innovative design features signature solutions to minimise detection by active sonars, all combined in an undetectable and extremely capable submarine. The offer includes knowledge transfer to the Netherlands. Once delivered, the submarines will be fully maintainable by the Royal Netherlands Navy including upgrades throughout their lifespans.
Sweden, through Saab’s business area Kockums, has a long tradition in producing world class submarines. Four nations are currently operating submarines and submarine technology designed by Saab’s business area Kockums; Sweden, Australia, Japan and Singapore.
Keel laying ceremony for first Polish SIGINT ship built at Remontowa shipyard
The keel laying ceremony for the first of the two new Polish signals intelligence ships took place recently at Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., located in Gdansk, Poland. The event was attended by representatives from Saab, the Polish Armament Agency, the Polish Navy, Remontowa Holding and invited guests. Saab was awarded the contract for designing and producing two signal intelligence ships, including the integration of advanced mission systems, for the Polish Navy on November 25, 2022. Remontowa Shipbuilding SA was subcontracted to build the ships in Poland. A SIGINT ship is used to support the acquisition of intelligence data across the full spectrum of naval intelligence capabilities.
“Naval intelligence ship systems are advanced platforms that need to be highly reliable and available. The keel laying ceremony today is an important milestone in the shipbuilding process and we appreciate the cooperation with our Polish customer the Armament Agency, the Polish Navy and our partner in this project Remontowa Holding,” said Mats Wicksell Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Kockums.