Saab presents the A26, the world's first fifth-generation submarine. According to the Swedish manufacturer, the submarine offers revolutionary capabilities: It can deploy drones, hide on the seabed and thus support NATO operations.
Saab presents fifth-generation submarine
The Swedish defense company Saab has unveiled the world's first fifth-generation submarine. The boat, known as the A26, is designed to offer unparalleled stealth capabilities, flexibility and integration across all operational domains and has been specifically developed to meet the requirements of NATO multi-domain operations.
Also known as the Blekinge class, the submarine marks a significant leap forward in submarine technology. The fifth-generation concept includes not only improved stealth capabilities, but also the ability to seamlessly integrate into modern network-centric warfare. According to a Saab statement, the boat combines traditional capabilities with completely new operational possibilities.
Revolutionary stealth technology
The A26 submarine features balanced multi-domain signature management and Saab's heritage of Baltic Sea stealth technology, making it one of the most difficult submarines in the world to detect. A special feature is its seabed warfare capability: the submarine can deploy unmanned underwater vehicles and special forces, as well as interact directly with the seabed.
The boat can even hide on the seabed - a unique capability made possible by the strong hull without external tanks and the X-rudder configuration. This technology makes the A26 particularly effective at evading anti-submarine warfare. The X-rudder arrangement at the stern not only offers better maneuverability in shallow waters, but also enables precise positioning on the seabed.
Stirling AIP system at the heart
The A26 uses Saab's patented Stirling AIP system, which is vibration-free, quiet and virtually undetectable. The system burns diesel fuel with pure oxygen and enables weeks of underwater travel without surfacing - a capability previously reserved for nuclear submarines.
The Stirling system works on the principle of a closed circuit and generates significantly less heat and noise than conventional diesel drives. This makes the A26 virtually invisible to enemy sonar systems. The technology was developed by Saab over decades and successfully tested in the Gotland class.
Massive delays
Despite the technological advances, the project is struggling with considerable problems. Delivery of the two Swedish A26 submarines has been postponed to 2031 and 2033, at a total cost of 25 billion Swedish kronor (around 2.3 billion euros). The project started in 2015 with planned costs of SEK 8.2 billion (around 945 million dollars) - so the costs have almost tripled.
One reason for the delays is the deteriorating condition of the Kockums shipyard, as no new submarines have been built there since the Gotland class in the 1990s. The shipyard first had to be modernized and the know-how for submarine construction had to be rebuilt. In addition, the complex new systems proved to be more difficult to integrate than originally planned.
Versatile combat capabilities
The A26 is equipped with long-range precision torpedoes and can potentially also carry submarine-launched cruise missiles. The electronic surveillance and data acquisition system enhances the overall effectiveness of kinetic attacks through passive, non-intrusive detection and classification of enemy signals.
Saab offers different variants for export customers: The Pelagic version with a length of 50 meters for coastal missions, the Oceanic version with 65 meters for the Swedish Navy and an Extended Range variant with a length of over 80 meters for long-range missions. Each variant can be adapted to the specific requirements and budget of the respective customer.
