The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, FMV, and the defense group Saab have now signed a supplementary agreement for the two state-of-the-art submarines of model A26.
They were ordered in 2015. The cost to the state was then stated to be SEK 8.6 billion.
The new contract amount is approximately SEK 14 billion, according to a press release from FMV.
At the same time, the delivery to the Armed Forces is delayed and can now take place no earlier than 2028 and 2029. Thus, the delivery takes place several years later than planned.
The Armed Forces is now conducting an impact assessment of how the delays affect the defense capability.
Are you not angry or worried that it has become like this?
- It is clear that you can have many thoughts or feelings about this, says Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist (S).
According to him, increases in costs and delays in large development projects of advanced defense equipment are realities that must be dealt with.
No options
Two reasons are mentioned as the reason for the increase in price and the delay of the submarine project.
One is that additional equipment has been ordered to increase the submarines' capabilities, such as torpedoes and stealth technology.
Another is that Kockumsvarvet's condition in Karlskrona was overestimated when Saab bought it in 2014.
Despite the consequences, the Minister of Defense considers it strategically important to complete the submarine project.
He points out that the submarines will be an extremely important asset for the military's intelligence gathering and combat far beyond Swedish territorial waters.
- It will be a very modern submarine system that definitely holds world class, he says.
Swedish security interest
The purchase of two new submarines is part of the Riksdag's defense decision from last autumn.
It is based on an agreement between the government, the Center Party and the Liberals.
- We do not need to change the defense decision or carry out any renegotiation, says Hultqvist.
He states that the defense decision has taken into account the increase in cost and that the Riksdag therefore does not need to decide on new money.
Hultqvist also states that the five billion kronor does not need to be taken from other parts of the defense.
The Liberals' defense policy spokesman Allan Widman does not believe that.
- There are no free five billion floating around in the defense economy.
It will of course be taken from elsewhere, says Widman.
- Now it is up to the government that has made this misjudgment to find financing for the increase in price.