The Swedish submarine force will remain at the forefront internationally. This is emphasized by the government’s decision to include the acquisition of two new vessels that belong to the next generation of submarines (NGS). To maintain a high operational ability, two Gotland-class submarines will also be upgraded.

The NGS will be designed and built in Sweden. This huge investment will secure the unique Swedish competence in the field. The decision also underlines the Baltic perspective of the Swedish defence policy.

“For us, this is a natural step ahead for technology development, for fruitful implementation of our research and a receipt that the Defence Force’s investment in underwater research has paid off. During the preparation for this policy decision during the last few years, FOI has provided know-how to our military partners. Our competence in the field will get even stronger,” says Matts Gustavsson, head of FOI’s Department of Underwater Research.

From both a civilian and a military point of view, the Baltic Sea possesses great strategic importance. A state-of-the-art submarine force is a strong tool when protecting Sweden from major external threats. Modern submarines have an excellent capability for surveillance and intelligence collection, and will be a significant obstacle for any actor who wants to use the Baltic Sea for non-peaceful purposes.

“The construction of these new submarines ensures that the Swedish skills in this particular field are maintained. Our know-how may also serve in civilian applications, such as environmental surveillance,” says Matts Gustavsson.