"The
order... will ensure Sweden's underwater capacity beyond 2030,"
Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said in a statement. "Underwater
capacity is a central part of Sweden's defence in peace time, as well
as during emergencies and war," the ministry added.
The two new generation A 26 submarines to be produced by Saab have a
maximum price tag of 8.2 billion kronor ($945 million, 886 million euros).
They are set to be delivered by 2022 at the latest.
Last week the government announced a 6.2 billion-kronor hike in defence
spending largely focused on upgrading its capacity to detect and intercept
submarines. |