Sweden assigns large vessel militarisation contract as support fleet renewal takes shape

Swedish shipyard Hasslö Varv has been awarded a framework agreement worth SEK 400 million to carry out the militarisation of two new auxiliary naval vessels for Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).

The contract covers the adaptation and integration of military systems on two work vessels intended to replace HMS Furusund and HMS Pelikanen.

FMV, the Swedish government agency responsible for defence procurement and logistics, received three bids. Hasslö Varv, based in Blekinge, was selected ahead of Stockholms Reparationsvarv and Falkvarv.

The vessels are being constructed at the Armon shipyard in Vigo, Spain, before transfer to Sweden for final outfitting and system integration. 

According to tender documentation, the first vessel is expected to arrive in September 2026, with delivery to the Swedish Armed Forces planned for September 2027. The second is scheduled to follow one year later.

The contract scope includes project management, system design, installation of government-furnished equipment, and integration of military radio systems. It also covers IT system hardening, integrated logistics support, system safety activities and verification.

In this context, militarisation refers to upgrading civilian-built or non-combat vessels with military-grade systems, enabling their use within naval support infrastructure. The vessels will support Swedish naval bases in roles including torpedo recovery, logistics and underwater operations, including diving.

Work will be carried out across multiple locations in Sweden, reflecting a distributed approach to integration and testing.