IRIA News

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Sweden has signed a contract with Saab for the procurement of the AUV62-MR, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for counter-mine operations.

The AUV62-MR is a state-of-the-art tool engineered to support naval forces in underwater reconnaissance and mine detection. With its ability to map extensive sections of the seabed and produce high-resolution sonar imagery, the system is made for detecting and classifying underwater mines and other objects that could pose threats to maritime security.

According to Saab, the AUV62-MR boasts high endurance, allowing naval operators to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with fewer resources and reduced risks to personnel. This capability is particularly critical in mine countermeasures, where the safety of divers and surface vessels often depends on remote and autonomous technologies.

“In addition to strengthening existing mine countermeasures capabilities, these systems will be an important part of the navy’s work towards future mine countermeasures capabilities,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s Kockums business area based in Malmo.

The acquisition of the AUV62-MR comes amid a broader regional push to fortify undersea security in response to recent geopolitical tensions. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted NATO allies, including Sweden, to increase their focus on protecting critical underwater infrastructure in northern Europe.

This focus was underscored by recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, where two fiber-optic telecommunications cables were damaged last month. European governments have accused Moscow of escalating hybrid warfare tactics, raising concerns over the vulnerability of underwater energy and communication lines. Swedish authorities are currently investigating the potential involvement of a Chinese ship spotted near Denmark’s coast in connection with the cable damage.

The heightened risk of underwater infrastructural sabotage was also highlighted in September 2022, when explosions ruptured three of the four Nord Stream pipelines in international waters in the Baltic Sea. The blasts occurred within the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark, fueling fears of targeted attacks on critical infrastructure. NATO members have since been on high alert for potential threats to undersea assets.

Designed to operate autonomously, the AUV62-MR reduces the reliance on manned missions for mine detection, thereby lowering the risk to naval personnel. Its ability to generate detailed sonar imagery and classify underwater objects makes it a versatile tool for a variety of maritime security applications beyond mine countermeasures.

The AUV’s high endurance allows it to perform extended operations, making it particularly suited for large-scale reconnaissance missions in contested or remote areas. This capability enables navies to maintain a persistent presence and monitor undersea threats more effectively.

By equipping its navy with the AUV62-MR, Sweden aims to bolster its capacity to address current and future challenges in underwater security. The move aligns with broader NATO efforts to enhance maritime surveillance and defense across northern Europe, especially in light of the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea.

As northern Europe grapples with the implications of modern hybrid warfare, investments in advanced technologies like the AUV62-MR underscore the importance of innovation in maintaining maritime security. Saab’s cutting-edge solution offers Sweden a vital tool in its mission to protect critical infrastructure and maintain freedom of navigation in its territorial waters.

The acquisition also positions Sweden as a key player in the development of next-generation mine countermeasures, potentially setting the stage for further collaboration with NATO allies. With its focus on reducing risks to personnel and improving operational efficiency, the AUV62-MR represents a significant step forward in the evolution of naval defense technologies.

Sweden’s commitment to strengthening its navy comes at a time when the security of undersea assets has never been more critical. As tensions in the Baltic Sea continue to simmer, the AUV62-MR provides a much-needed capability to address the challenges of an increasingly contested maritime environment.