Saab to equip Visby-class corvettes with Sea Ceptor, boosting Sweden’s and NATO’s Air Defence
Stockholm, May 30, 2025 – Saab has been awarded a major contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to enhance the Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes with the Sea Ceptor air defence system from MBDA. The SEK 1.6 billion deal marks a significant leap in Sweden’s maritime air defence capabilities and strengthens NATO’s broader regional deterrence posture.
This upgrade is part of FMV’s long-term modernisation strategy for the five stealthy Visby-class corvettes, which are considered vital assets within Sweden’s naval fleet. Once equipped with the Sea Ceptor system, the corvettes will be able to engage air threats at significantly greater distances and protect larger areas than their current systems allow.
“This modification strengthens both Sweden’s and NATO’s air and missile defence by increasing the Swedish Armed Forces’ operational capability and ability to operate across the entire conflict spectrum. With the air defence system on board, the Visby-class corvettes will continue to be a vital platform for many years to come,” said Mats Wicksell, Head of Saab’s business area Kockums.
The Sea Ceptor is a modern naval air defence system capable of defending against a wide range of aerial threats, including supersonic anti-ship missiles and combat aircraft. It uses the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), which provides a high rate of fire and rapid target engagement, ideal for modern naval operations.
Saab’s role includes the integration and installation of the Sea Ceptor system into the Visby-class corvettes, a process set to begin in early 2026. FMV had previously placed a direct order for the Sea Ceptor system with MBDA, the European missile systems developer.
The enhancement of Sweden’s naval defences comes amid growing regional security concerns in the Baltic Sea and reflects Stockholm’s commitment to strengthening interoperability and capabilities within NATO, which the country formally joined in early 2024.
About Saab
Saab is a global defence and security leader headquartered in Sweden. With a workforce of over 25,000 people, the company develops, manufactures, and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weaponry, command and control, sensors, and underwater technologies. Saab supports national security across multiple allied nations and remains at the forefront of innovation for a safer, more sustainable world.
