Saab to design and build new SIGINT vessel for Swedish Navy

The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) has awarded Saab a contract to deliver a new Special Purpose Ship for Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) for the Swedish Navy.

According to a company announcement, Saab will be responsible for the design, construction and delivery of the vessel.

Saab said the order covers the period 2017– 2020, and has a total value of SEK730 million (approx. $80.6M).

“Special purpose ships of this kind require high reliability and availability. Saab, and not the least Kockums, has during the years delivered products that live up to these high standards. This contract is also a confirmation on our ability to deliver surface ships,” Gunnar Wieslander, head of Saab business area Kockums, said.

SIGINT vessels are often referred to as spy ships and are primarily used for interception and analysis of radio transmitted signals. The existing Swedish vessel, HMS Orion, was launched in 1984, and has undergone several upgrades at Saabs shipyard in Karlskrona.