Saab acquires Deform to help secure submarine supply chain

A hull section of the first of Sweden's A26 Blekinge-class submarines, at the vessel's keel-laying ceremony on 30 June 2022. (Saab)

Saab has acquired Swedish company Deform AB to try and strengthen its and Sweden's submarine supply chain over the longer term.

In an 18 August statement, Saab said the acquisition ensures continued close co-operation between the two Swedish companies.

“Given how the security situation in Europe and in the rest of the world has changed dramatically during the last few years, it has become apparent that having a robust supply chain is vital,” a Saab spokesperson told Janes on 19 August.

Defence and security company Saab is the submarine builder for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN), delivering – through its Kockums business unit – the navy's in-service A19 Gotland-class and in-build A26 Blekinge-class diesel-electric boats (SSKs).

Deform – based in Degerfors, Sweden – is a forming company specialising in hot and cold forming of various metallic material types, and has four main areas: pressure vessels, protection, heavy fabrication, and heavy equipment.

In its statement, Saab noted that the two companies have a long-established relationship, with Deform playing an important role in Kockums' supply chain by providing speciality parts for submarine production.

“Deform has a unique expertise in the shaping of tough and demanding materials. They supply, among other things, to Saab's ongoing production of the Blekinge-class submarines,” Mats Wicksell, Kockums business unit head, said in the statement.

The Saab spokesperson told Janes that Deform's supply to Kockums' submarine programmes has included 3D-shaped steel objects.