# Denmark directly awards Saab billion-kronor contract - Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com) - Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract - Published: 2026-11-06 - Author: Mikael Berg - Type: News · Section: Land · Country: international - Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md - Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract.md) - Primary source: https://udbud.dk/detaljevisning?noticeId=cf44e7e7-56e5-4a15-af5e-35fd7ad22c2c¬iceVersion=01¬icePublicationNumber=00767879-2026 - Tags: saab, denmark, bt46 i-lds, fmi, danish army, nato, ucatt > Denmark is to sign a framework agreement with Saab for additional laser simulation systems, without competitive tendering. The contract could be worth up to SEK 4.75 billion. ![Exercise with NLAW](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/1a117e4a-1bea-4aba-01fd-8211d976a600/public) *Exercise with NLAW · Saab AB* ***The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation* (DALO) has decided to award Saab a framework agreement for the delivery and service of additional BT46 I-LDS, instrumented laser duel simulation systems. The estimated value is SEK 3.75 billion, with a maximum value of SEK 4.75 billion. This is stated in a [direct award notice](https://udbud.dk/detaljevisning?noticeId=cf44e7e7-56e5-4a15-af5e-35fd7ad22c2c¬iceVersion=01¬icePublicationNumber=00767879-2026) published by DALO on 5 November.** The systems are used for realistic combat training for both combat vehicles and soldiers. According to the notice, the agreement is to run from 17 November 2026 to 17 January 2037, with the option of a five-year extension. The notice does not specify how many systems are to be purchased. DALO justifies the direct award on technical grounds and the protection of exclusive rights. According to the agency, it is an unconditional operational requirement that the new systems be fully compatible with the Danish Defence's existing BT46 systems and able to make use of all their functions. DALO states that the agency has followed the work of NATO's UCATT programme, which is developing common technical standards for this type of system. However, the standards are not yet complete and, according to DALO, would in any case not cover all internal interfaces within the BT46 system. Replacing the entire existing system would also entail very significant conversion costs, according to the agency. The Danish Ministry of Defence announced in March 2025 that an I-LDS system would be procured for a combat battalion of around 1,000 soldiers and 200 vehicles, according to a [press release](https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2025/nyt-simulationssystem-pa-vej-til-harens-enheder/). The cost was estimated at the time at around DKK 0.6 billion. In July 2025, DALO announced that the agency had [procured the Saab BT46 I-LDS](https://www.fmi.dk/da/nyheder/2025/nyt-kampsimulationssystem-til-haren/) for the army. "With I-LDS, the army doesn't just gain increased realism, we gain an entirely new dimension of feedback, learning and analysis," said Colonel Thomas Øgendahl Knudsen, head of DALO's Land Materiel Division, at the time. The Danish Army field-tested the system in Oksbøl (western Denmark) earlier this year, [as NDS has reported](https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/danish-army-field-tests-new-saab-laser-combat-simulation-system). Saab and DALO already signed a framework agreement in 2022 for live training systems for the Danish Army, with a potential value of around DKK 550 million. ## FAQ **What does Denmark's new framework agreement with Saab for BT46 I-LDS cover?** The framework agreement covers the delivery and service of additional BT46 I-LDS units, a system for instrumented laser duel simulation used for realistic combat training of combat vehicles and soldiers. The announcement does not specify how many systems are to be purchased. The agreement was published by FMI on 5 November. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-06. **Why did FMI choose to directly award the contract to Saab without a procurement process?** FMI justifies the direct award on technical grounds and the protection of exclusive rights, as new systems must be fully compatible with the Danish Defence's existing BT46 system. NATO's UCATT standards are not yet finalised and would not cover all internal interfaces. A system change would also entail significant conversion costs. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-06. **How long is the agreement between FMI and Saab valid for?** According to the announcement, the agreement is to run from 17 November 2026 to 17 January 2037. There is also an option for a five-year extension beyond the original contract period. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-06. **What is the value of the new framework agreement for BT46 I-LDS?** The estimated value of the framework agreement is DKK 3.75 billion, with a maximum value of DKK 4.75 billion. This is significantly higher than the previously announced procurement for a combat battalion, which was estimated at approximately DKK 0.6 billion in March 2025. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-06. **When did FMI announce that the authority had procured Saab BT46 I-LDS for the army?** FMI announced in July 2025 that the authority had procured Saab BT46 I-LDS for the army. Previously, in March 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defence had announced plans to purchase a system for a combat battalion of approximately 1,000 soldiers and 200 vehicles. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-06. --- Nordic Defence Sector — independent newsroom covering the Nordic defence sector. When citing, attribute "Nordic Defence Sector" and link https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/denmark-directly-awards-saab-billion-kronor-contract. Site guide: https://nordicdefencesector.com/llms.txt