Saab MCMV 24 made its public debut at DALO Industry Days in Denmark, introducing a compact mine countermeasures vessel concept shaped for Baltic Sea operations. The design blends traditional low-signature features with higher transit speed and patrol capability for navies operating in mine-threatened littorals.
The concept targets environments where mines may be encountered from hostile coasts through open waters and into friendly harbors. Saab notes threats range from classic minefields to air-dropped weapons and, potentially soon, mines placed by uncrewed surface vessels.
To work directly inside these danger areas, the company opted for a smaller hull measuring 66 meters. The ship incorporates signature-reduction measures centered on a composite glass-reinforced plastic hull, a known specialty of Saab’s Kockums yard.
In a departure from Sweden’s current Koster class, the design replaces Voith Schneider propulsors with conventional propellers, trading some maneuverability and signature advantages for greater top speed.
Saab MCMV 24 emphasizes speed and sensors
A maximum speed of 22 knots is intended to deliver more flexible tasking than traditional dedicated mine countermeasures ships. The combat system proposal includes the Saab Giraffe 1X radar and CEROS fire-control and electro-optical suite.
Armament options listed by the company include the Bofors 40 mm deck gun, the Saab Lightweight Torpedo, designated TP 47 in Swedish service, and the Saab Nimbrix counter-uncrewed aerial system missiles. With that mix, the platform can conduct patrol duties while retaining self-defense against conventional threats as well as surface and aerial drones.
For Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, whose fleets have long prioritized mine countermeasures in the Baltic Sea but now face growing offshore patrol demands, Saab positions the MCMV 24 as a logical fit. The builder is also offering dedicated patrol vessel and coast guard variants to enable commonality in training, logistics, and maintenance across multiple mission sets.
Mine countermeasures work would rely on remotely operated and autonomous underwater systems. A notable feature of the layout is a bow door dedicated to launching and recovering ROVs such as Saab’s Double Eagle.
The aft deck provides generous space for mission modules and additional unmanned systems, including a stern ramp suitable for a mine warfare USV. Visuals shared by the company highlight Nimbrix launchers, torpedo launch capability, and modular payload positions on the stern.
Beyond Sweden, where the concept is viewed as a potential successor to the Koster class, originally built as the Landsort class in the 1980s, Saab reports early talks with other European navies, including Denmark and Germany, which have similar requirements.