Sweden Places Order for Saab’s Lightweight Torpedoes
Sweden has made a significant move to enhance its naval capabilities by ordering Saab’s state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes and accompanying torpedo tubes for a total of 1.3 billion Swedish kronor, approximately $120 million. This order is expected to bolster the Scandinavian nation’s defense strategy, with deliveries slated to commence in 2026. In addition to the torpedoes, the procurement encompasses spare parts, advanced training systems, and crucial technical support.
The newly acquired lightweight torpedo system is engineered for deployment from both submarines and surface vessels, with plans for future integration into helicopters as well. This versatility underscores Sweden’s commitment to maintaining a robust maritime defense amidst growing geopolitical tensions.
Advanced Design Tailored for the Baltic Sea
Saab’s lightweight torpedoes are specifically designed to navigate the shallow and intricate seabed of the Baltic Sea, demanding sophisticated detection, navigation, and communication features. Measuring 2.85 meters (9.35 feet) in length and 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) in diameter, the torpedo weighs approximately 340 kilograms (750 pounds). Remarkably, it can achieve speeds exceeding 40 knots (46 miles or 74 kilometers per hour), rendering it a formidable asset in naval warfare.
Operating at depths greater than 300 meters (984 feet), the torpedo utilizes acoustic reflections to pinpoint underwater objects, mimicking the natural echolocation capabilities of whales in the ocean. Furthermore, the control and monitoring of the system can occur over several kilometers, facilitated by a slender copper wire connection, ensuring effective communication throughout operations.
Enhancing Naval Security Amidst Regional Tensions
In light of escalating security concerns in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, Stockholm is taking proactive steps to strengthen its maritime defense. This new order marks Sweden’s second procurement of Saab torpedoes, building on initial deliveries that began in 2022, which highlights the nation’s ongoing commitment to bolster its underwater warfare capabilities.
The journey to acquiring these torpedoes began in 2020 when Saab partnered with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Armed Forces for the first live firings of the torpedo. These tests were conducted from both a corvette and a submarine in the Baltic Sea near Karlskrona, on Sweden’s eastern coast, successfully demonstrating the system’s operational effectiveness and paving the way for this substantial investment.
