Sweden’s Saab has been awarded a contract by Australia to study new submarine technology, including propulsion systems and sensors, as part of a long-term cooperation agreement, the company said on Tuesday.
Saab to support Australia’s submarine program
Saab said it will work with the Australian government and industry to conduct studies on emerging technologies that could be used for the Future Submarine Program, which aims to replace the ageing Collins-class submarines with 12 new Attack-class submarines.
The contract, worth 11 million Australian dollars ($8.1 million), covers a period of 12 months and will involve Saab’s submarine design and engineering team in Sweden and Australia.
Saab’s chief executive Micael Johansson said the contract was a sign of the company’s commitment to Australia and its submarine capability.
“We are proud to be part of this long-term cooperation with Australia, where we can share our knowledge and insights from more than 100 years of designing and operating submarines,” he said in a statement.
Australia’s submarine program faces challenges
Australia’s Future Submarine Program is one of the most ambitious and expensive defence projects in the country’s history, costing an estimated 90 billion Australian dollars ($66 billion).
The program, which was announced in 2016, involves a partnership with France’s Naval Group to design and build the new submarines, based on the French Barracuda-class nuclear-powered submarine, but adapted to use conventional diesel-electric propulsion.
However, the program has faced delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges, as well as political and strategic uncertainties amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
In September, Australia announced a new security pact with the United States and Britain, known as AUKUS, which will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, with the help of its allies.
The announcement sparked a diplomatic crisis with France, which accused Australia of reneging on the contract with Naval Group and undermining trust and cooperation among allies.
Australia said it will honour its contractual obligations with Naval Group, but has not clarified how the AUKUS deal will affect the Future Submarine Program and the delivery of the Attack-class submarines.
Saab’s submarine expertise and experience
Saab is a leading defence and security company, with a strong presence in Australia, where it employs more than 500 people and supports various defence and civil projects.
Saab has a long history of submarine development and operation, dating back to 1914, when it acquired the Swedish submarine builder Kockums.
Saab currently operates four Gotland-class submarines and two Södermanland-class submarines for the Swedish navy, and is developing the next-generation Blekinge-class submarine, also known as the A26, which is expected to enter service in 2024.
Saab’s submarines are known for their stealth, endurance, and versatility, and are equipped with advanced features such as air-independent propulsion, which allows them to stay submerged for longer periods, and a flexible payload system, which enables them to carry different types of weapons and sensors.
Saab has also exported its submarines to several countries, including Singapore, which operates four Archer-class submarines, based on the Södermanland-class, and Brazil, which is building four Riachuelo-class submarines, based on the Scorpène-class, in collaboration with Naval Group.
Saab said it will leverage its submarine expertise and experience to support Australia’s submarine program and contribute to the country’s sovereign capability and security.
