Week 1 of 2026 is marked by significant defence deals and a Nordic leadership transition. Saab secures two major export orders, Thales is awarded a British naval contract, and Norway assumes the chairmanship of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO).

Domains

Naval

  • Thales has been awarded a contract by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) in the United Kingdom to develop the next generation of portable autonomous command centres, the Autonomous Remote Command Centre (RCC), for Royal Navy mine countermeasures capability. The first phase is worth £10 million and the programme could total £100 million. The solution includes integration of unmanned systems and AI-assisted target recognition. Read more

Air

  • Saab has signed an agreement with the French procurement agency Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA) for the delivery of two GlobalEye airborne surveillance and command systems, valued at SEK 12.3 billion. Deliveries are planned between 2029 and 2032, and the agreement includes an option for two additional aircraft. Read more
  • Saab has received an order for RBS 70 Bolide missiles from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, valued at SEK 3 billion. The order is placed within a framework agreement between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, with deliveries planned for 2028 to 2032. Lithuania has used Saab's short-range air defence solution, the RBS 70, since 2004. Read more

Policy & Strategy

  • Norway assumed the chairmanship of the Nordic Defence Cooperation NORDEFCO from Finland on 1 January 2026. Norway thus leads the cooperation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden throughout 2026. In connection with the handover, the Nordic defence ministers gathered for a NORDEFCO meeting in Helsinki (Finland). Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik emphasised the importance of close cooperation with allies to strengthen security in the region. Read more

Industry

  • Saab consolidates its position as an exporter of air defence systems and airborne command systems with two significant orders during the week: RBS 70 Bolide to Lithuania (SEK 3 billion) and GlobalEye to France (SEK 12.3 billion), with a combined order value of over SEK 15 billion.
  • Thales strengthens its position within autonomous maritime systems through the contract with DE&S for the Royal Navy, with a potential value of up to £100 million.

Overall, Week 1 of 2026 reflects an active defence landscape, with major industrial deals for Swedish and European defence suppliers, as well as a renewed Nordic cooperation focus under Norwegian chairmanship of NORDEFCO.