A26 Blekinge - Next Generation U-boat [NGU] - Program
The new submarines of type A26 that are being built in Karlskrona got their names in January 2019. Previously, they have just been called "Next Generation Submarine". The submarines HMS Gotland, Halland, Uppland, Södermanland and Östergötland are to be joined by Blekinge and Skåne. HSE (Hans / Her Majesty's ship) Blekinge is expected to be ready for delivery in 2024, the following year, HMS Skåne will be launched. The tradition of giving submarine landscape names was introduced during Admiral Per Rudberg's time as head of the Navy. He considered that the navy's most powerful vessel would take over the landscape names when the hunting era went to the grave.Sweden's corvettes are named as city names and mine clearance vessels for lighthouses and islands.
The names Skåne and Blekinge have been proposed by the Navy and approved by the king, in the form of a so-called appreciation. The final decision is made by the naval manager. The names are made by a Naval name committee, which has, among other things, taken into account the history and the names used earlier, says Kristina Swaan, the Navy's communications manager. Since then, there are two warships that have been named HMS Blekinge, a liner ship with 68 guns launched in 1682 and a galley with 28 guns launched in 1749.
Blekinge Län is the smallest county of Sweden. Blekinge is close to nature, the sea and the archipelago. The county has four coastal municipalities, Karlskrona, Ronneby, Karlshamn and Sölvesborg. With a long coastal line, the fish-rich waters of Blekinge are very popular with anglers. Karlskrona and Ronneby have a very large public sector, owing to the fact that many government departments are located in eastern Blekinge, with the Swedish Armed Forces being an important employer. With over 100 natural reserves, dense beech, pine and oak forests, rocky archipelago landscapes of a rugged but spectacular beauty, and almost 1,000 lakes, Blekinge has more than earned its reputation as “Sweden’s Garden”.
Skåne is a province located at the most southern tip of Sweden, just a stone’s throw across the water from bustling Copenhagen in Denmark. The province is well known for it’s beautiful scenery, outstanding culinary experiences and high quality of life. Skåne is as pretty as a patchwork quilt with fertile farmlands, lush forests and clear blue lakes. The extensive plains and deep forests are surrounded by over 400 kilometres of coastline in three directions that alters between inviting sandy beaches and steep rocky precipices.
The long-suffering A26 project had been developed since the beginning of the 1990s. With the end of the Cold War, the naval threat from the Soviet Union disappeared and the new submarine class was deemed unnecessary. After lying dormant for years, new life was sparked into the project in hopes of a Scandinavian collaboration on the navy update. However, Denmark's withdrawal left Sweden on its own. In 2014, the project was cancelled once again because of disagreement between ThyssenKrupp, which owned Sweden's submarine plants, and the Swedish government. Subsequently, all equipment was repossessed by the Swedish government, whereupon the ill-fated project went on.
Following termination of Project Viking, FMV was assigned the task of initiating preliminary planning for a submarine Type A26. During 2005 FMV carried out a pre-definition phase covering analysis of functions and requirements and the generation of an overall concept in which experience gained chiefly from the projects Submarine 2000 and Viking were taken into account. This preliminary planning work was due to continue until the beginning of 2007. The intention thereafter was that, given the placing of suitable contract, a start will be made on the design phase. Discussions with international partners have been held during 2005 with the aim of identifying opportunities for collaboration in the field of submarine development. In August 2005 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Germany concerning collaboration in the field of "Underwater Warfare".
The Nordic VIKING Project was dead, the A26 project was therefore ordered by the Swedish military. All developments of the A26 the new generation of submarine (NGU defence Swedish) will take place at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Swedish company Kockums in Malmö. The successor of the Gotland class (A19), as of 2006 the new sub is developed under the name A26 with the same deplacement but built with flexibility and international missions in mind. The yard Kockums was in talks with up to 3 other nations (Singapore mentioned) in participation to cut the costs of the development of next generation subs.
In December 2007 the Swedish Government approved initiation of the design phase for a new generation of submarines and has authorised placement of the order for this phase by the Swedish Armed Forces. "This is a highly welcome announcement, that is good for Kockums and its employees, as well as for the Swedish Navy. Development work will now be able to continue, and this is important. The announcement also clearly signifies Sweden's intention to continue its commitment to its submarine force, which has been so successful," says Kjell Göthe, Kockums' head of corporate communication, commenting on the news.
The following extract is taken from the Swedish Government press communiqué: "The Swedish Government has approved placement of an order by the Swedish Armed Forces for the design phase of a Nästa Generations Ubåt (NGU - next-generation submarine). Actual procurement of such a vessel is dependant on a decision to be taken during 2008 concerning Swedish Government approval for initiation of construction."
"The Government believes that development of the NGU concept could offer the Swedish Armed Forces a means of maintaining a cost-efficient submarine force in the foreseeable future. Domestic development of such a vessel could prove more economical than procurement of a corresponding platform on the international market. Domestic development of the NGU would also ensure retention of the majority of Sweden's naval shipbuilding expertise, securing the country's ability to maintain the submarines and surface combat ships that are currently in service."
"Following completion of feasibility studies, the project will now move on to the design phase. A long-term analysis of the future submarine requirement will be conducted by the Implementation Committee for Efficiency Optimisation in Defence Materiel Procurement."
The outer hull manufactured by de-magnetised steel, which reduces the risk of triggering sensors for electromagnetic reconnaissance and so-called magnetic mines. In the inner hull was hung up on platforms with rubber dampening. In this way are faring ratings and equipment at massive underwater explosions. One of Kockums strengths are motor design. AIP-technological heart is the quiet Stirlingmotorn driven by a mixture of liquid oxygen and diesel fuel in a combustion chamber under high pressure. Design with an air independent propulsion means that you can stay in underwater mode for several weeks. Conventional submarines capable of only up to a week at best.
Given the long passes in submarine mode, it is important to ensure good working environment for the crew. The new A26 will have well thought-out and comfortable cabins with a built-in entertainment system for movies and music. Opportunities for physical training in gym. An advanced climate system designed according to the same principle that provides bryngelson and his colleagues in space with fresh air.
In early 2015 the government announced that Sweden was to invest SEK 8.2 million to buy two new submarines. Sweden said 19 July 2015 it had decided to order two new submarines in an attempt to reinforce its armed forces months after a futile hunt by Sweden's navy for an alleged mini-sub in the Stockholm archipelago. Sweden's Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said, "The order... will ensure Sweden's underwater capacity beyond 2030.... Underwater capacity is a central part of Sweden's defense in peace time, as well as during emergencies and war".
The two A26 type submarines, which were expected to be constructed by Saab Kockums company, would reportedly cost up to 8.2 billion Swedish kronor (USD 945 million). The subs were also set to be delivered by 2022 at the latest.
By June 2015 the constructor Saab Kockums claimed that the amount may not be enough. Saab Kockums was negotiating the details of the upcoming order with the Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, and the government was waiting for the negotiations to finish before officially placing the order.
Svenska Dagbladet wrote that if the two A26 submarines end up costing more than the 8.2 billion that the Swedish government had set aside, the government may need to either lower its ambitions for the new subs or postpone other investments to be able to finance them. The Defence Materiel Administration expected to reach a deal with Saab Kockums within seven days, but Sebastian Carlsson, press spokesperson at Saab, is less optimistic and told SvD that they expected the order to be placed later this year.
On 30 June 2015, Saab signed contracts with the Swedish Defence Material Administration to construct, verify and deliver two new Type A26 submarines to a total order value of SEK7.6 billion. The first delivery will be 2022.
The construction phase for the Swedish Navy’s A26 next-generation submarine officially began on 4 September 2015 at the Saab Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona, the first steel for the new vessel was cut. This was a key milestone for the world’s most modern submarine program.
“We have left the design phase behind and begun construction of the A26, a pillar of Sweden’s future naval defence. The A26 is a new standard bearer; a step forward in the Swedish tradition of modular design and building, it ensures maximum operational effectiveness with a lower lifecycle cost. With the A26 you can always adapt the submarine to the mission in hand. Now that production has started it is a clear signal to other potential customers around the world that Saab is ready to deliver to them as well,” says to Gunnar Wieslander, head of Saab’s business unit Saab Kockums.
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