Page 26 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017

T echnology Spotlight

first tested at sea in 1989, now equips three submarine replacement requirements of the benefits of this new submarine have gained
Swedish “Gotland” class boats. The 75kW four navies, disbanded with the successive exit serious customer interest”
propulsion units burn liquid oxygen and of Sweden’s partners. Widerström says that in his company’s dis-
diesel fuel to generate electricity for either Jan Widerström, Chairman and Managing cussions with India on its requirement for con-
propulsion or charging batteries. The few Director, Saab India Technologies, says ventional AIP submarines, Saab is committed
others to have developed AIP versions include Kockums was acquired as part of a clear to deliver complete ToT across the spectrum.
DCNS, with its Mesma and FC2G systems, national initiative to secure a strategic tech- “Real and meaningful technology transfer is
Germany’s Siemens SINAVY, Russia’s untried nology base for Sweden’s defence. “As with at the heart of all Saab business around the
Kristall-27E and Spain’s bioethanol-processor the GRIPEN fighter, Saab is the guarantor of world,” he observes. “We have already made
based AIP, also untried. strategic defence technology for Sweden and the most comprehensive proposal to ‘Make in
The critical nature of the AIP solution is we do not expect that to change,” he remarks. India’ as part of our GRIPEN fighter offer to
underscored by the Indian programme to build “Earlier in 2014, Saab and Sweden’s Defence the Indian Air Force, and it is exactly the same
such a system, the considerable delay of which Materiel Administration [FMV] signed a in the maritime domain where Saab builds
is threatening a strategic gap in the IN’s under- Letter of Intent to provide underwater capa­ submarines, surface vessels, propulsion sys­
water defences. A sorrier experience has been bilities for the Swedish Armed Forces and this tems, naval combat management systems and
Navantia’s, as it has slipped by seven years has ensured access to the skills and intellec­ fire control systems, communications, datal­
in its 2004 order from the Spanish Defence tual property necessary for continued devel­ inks, torpedoes and missiles.”
ministry for four S-80 submarines that were opment, production and maintenance in the With Saab also building maritime patrol air-
to have been delivered between October 2011 underwater sector for Sweden, and then the craft, it has a complete understanding of the
and 2014. Its AIP system has been similarly international market.” full spectrum of naval warfare, and the ability
delayed, causing uncertainty regarding its The initial objective for Saab Kockums was to deliver complete ToT across that spectrum.
installation on the boats. the mid-life update for Sweden’s submarine Without doubt, submarine customers are
Kockums, acquired by Saab in 2014, was to fleet, followed by the development and deliv- spoilt for choice today. New manufacturing
have installed its AIP in the “Viking” Type A24 ery of the next generation A26. “Both these techniques, new design features and new
submarines that were to have entered service programmes are proceeding on schedule and operational concepts adapted to specific
between 2005 and 2010. This plan vaporised remain the priority for Saab, Kockums and requirements are increasingly yielding the
once the Viking Project Group, comprising the Swedish customer,” he maintains. “The right product at the right price, with the as-
Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, with Finland success of the A26 programme, as the most surance of effective and affordable upgrades
as an observer, which was launched in 1994 modern conventional submarine design avail­ and life cycle support. And those who fail to
to develop a ‘commonalised’ and affordable able anywhere in the world, allows Kockums deliver will need to be wary of the churning
new-generation submarine design to meet the to return to the international market where the in the market. NAFO

24 NAVAL FORCES III/2017