On Tuesday, 15 August, a composite cutting ceremony was held at Saab’s site in Karlskrona for the first of four masts for the Finnish Navy’s new ships. The masts are manufactured in the same composite material that the Swedish Visby-class corvettes are made of, and in which Saab is a world-leading producer. In September 2019, Saab signed a contract to provide and integrate the combat system for the Finnish Navy’s four new ships in the Pohjanmaa class (known as the Squadron 2020 programme). Saab is one of the subcontractors for the new Finnish ships, with planned deliveries during the period 2027-2029.
“This was an important day and we are proud to be part of the work to strengthen the Finnish Navy’s capabilities. We look forward to delivering our world-leading composite solutions and combat systems in close cooperation with our Finnish customer,” says Mats Wicksell, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s Business Area Kockums.
The masts that Saab manufactures for Finland are equivalent in height to a five-story building. Saab has great know-how and a long experience in designing and building with composite materials, such as carbon fibre, and has delivered composite solutions for several different ship classes. There is great interest in such materials as they contribute to a lower ship weight and radar signature. Carbon fibre is a sustainable alternative that does not corrode, lowers fuel consumption and means that more of a ship’s overall weight can be allocated to additional capabilities.
Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 19,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.
