Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 10 combat boats, the company announced on 28 June 2024.
The order value is approximately SEK 400 million (EUR 35.7 million), with deliveries to be made continuously over the coming years.
The boats will based on the CB90 Next Generation (CB90 NG) design and are manufactured by Saab’s shipyard in Docksta on Sweden’s eastern coast.
The CB90 NG has a light displacement of 18 tonnes, a maximum load displacement of 24.5 tonnes and is 16.3 m long, with a beam of 3.8 m and a draught of 0.9 m. Propelled by two 900 hp engines each powering a waterjet, the craft has a maximum speed at full load of more than 40 kts (74 km/h), a cruise speed of 38 kts and a range at cruise speed of 300 n miles (556 km).
Compared to its CB90 predecessors, the CB90 NG has a new driveline featuring an adjusted placement of the engines to optimise the centre of gravity and new waterjets, making the boat more stable, faster and a lot quieter. The craft also has a new combat management system and sensors for surveillance, as well as enhanced ballistic protection.
Able to carry up to 21 amphibious troops with full equipment, the CB90 NG can be armed with large-calibre machine guns, a MK19 grenade launcher, naval mines and depth charges, as well as Saab’s Trackfire remote weapon station.
As well as landing troops and providing fire support, the CB90 NG can also take on patrolling, surveillance or attack missions.
The CB90 NG can also be fitted a Saab’s Giraffe 1X short-range 3D surveillance radar.
“Combat boats are advanced platforms that can be used for many different types of missions,” Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s Kockums business area, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “We are proud that Saab’s naval capabilities continue to contribute to Sweden’s defence.”
The Swedish Navy, which has two amphibious units (the 1st Marine Regiment in Berga and the 4th Marine Regiment in Gothenberg), has received 165 CB90s of various models, including 18 CB90 NGs ordered on July 2017.
In February 2024 the Swedish government announced that, as part pf a wider military support package for Ukraine, it would donate 10 CB90s to Kyiv. The order announced on 28 June is thus likely to have been made to replace those donated craft.
