Sweden signs air defence contract for 8.7 billion kronor with Saab and Bofors

Sweden is strengthening its air defence and counter-drone capability through new contracts worth 8.7 billion Swedish kronor. The investment includes the GUTE II system, with deliveries planned from 2027 to 2028.

According to the Swedish government, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed contracts with, among others, BAE Systems Bofors and Saab as part of a new counter-drone concept. Companies such as SISU and Nammo are also included through agreements covering vehicles and ammunition respectively. The systems are collectively designated GUTE II and encompass command and control systems, sensors, electronic warfare systems, ammunition, and various types of vehicles.

– It is more important than ever to invest in air defence capabilities. Protection against airborne threats is a high priority for the government, and we will conclude further agreements to strengthen Swedish defence, says Defence Minister Pål Jonson in a press release from the government.

According to FMV, GUTE II builds on an earlier counter-drone concept developed in collaboration between the agency, the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), and industry, based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The system consists of an integrated chain of sensors, command and control, and effector systems, including 30 and 40 millimetre cannons.

– This is a unique concept that we are now scaling up through series orders. The sub-systems are already in service with the Swedish Armed Forces, they are fully automatic and relatively straightforward to operate. They provide a capability to engage drones rapidly and in a synchronised manner, which is absolutely decisive on today's battlefield, says Jonas Lotsne, Head of FMV's Army Materiel business area, in the agency's press release.

A press release from Saab confirms that the company has received an order worth approximately 2.6 billion Swedish kronor for a modular Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) designed to detect, track, and engage drones. The system is designed to protect both military units and civilian infrastructure. FMV states that the order to Saab includes Trackfire weapon stations fitted with a 30 mm cannon, command and control systems, and passive and active sensors including the Giraffe 1X radar.

– With today's order, Sweden receives an advanced mobile, modular system for countering drones. This technology enhances airspace security by detecting, tracking, and engaging threats from unmanned aerial vehicles, and can be readily integrated with other systems, says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab's Surveillance business area, in the press release.

According to a post from BAE Systems Bofors, the Tridon Mk2 air defence system is included in the investment — a system featuring a 40 mm automatic cannon mounted on a truck. The company further states in a press release that FMV's order is worth the equivalent of 180 million US dollars.

– We are therefore very proud that Tridon will now become a central component of Sweden's new broad-area air defence, says Chief Executive Lena Gillström in the post.

According to Defence Minister Pål Jonson, the investment amounts to a total of approximately 70 vehicles and a larger number of systems, including Tridon, Trackfire, electronic warfare systems, and command and control systems, as he states in a post on X.