Poland has awarded Saab a contract to manufacture and deliver two new signal intelligence ships for 620 million euros ($644 million).
The ships are expected to bolster Warsaw’s information gathering capability amid increased threats due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Saab president Micael Johansson, the naval platform will be equipped with “world-leading sensors” and cutting-edge mission systems.
“We are proud that Poland has selected Saab as a partner in naval intelligence ship systems,” he said. “We will contribute with our capabilities by building advanced platforms where we have long experience.”
The ships will be co-produced by Remontowa Shipbuilding and are scheduled for delivery by 2027.
Increased Defense Spending
The purchase of cutting-edge naval platforms is part of Poland’s continuing defense spending spree to bolster its military capabilities.
Earlier this year, the European nation signed an agreement with South Korea to procure main battle tanks for $5.76 billion.
The deal includes 180 K2 Black Panther Tanks and 212 K9A1 self-propelled howitzers, which will reportedly be delivered by 2026.
Warsaw also ordered Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey after seeing their “high effectiveness” in the war in Ukraine.
Saab’s Current Spy Ship
Poland’s decision to acquire new spy ships from Sweden comes after Saab launched its new signals intelligence ship HMS Artemis for the Swedish Navy.
It has a length of 74 meters (242.7 feet) and a displacement of up to 2,200 tons.
HMS Artemis, Sweden’s new SIGINT-ship, has begun sea trials in Karlskrona. It will then be delivered to Sweden's armed forces after the tests. It will replace HMS Orion which has been in service since 1984. Artemis is larger than her predecessor and more advanced in every aspect. pic.twitter.com/wuoTf1kiM3
— Saab (@Saab) November 2, 2022
The hull was built by Nauta Shiprepair Yard in Poland, but the sophisticated signal intelligence systems were installed in Sweden.
“The new ship is longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor (HMS Orion). Above all, however, it is more advanced in every respect,” the company stated earlier this month.
The HMS Artemis is now undergoing sea trials in southern Sweden. It will soon be delivered to the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration and transferred to the navy.
