Astilleros Armon, a prominent Spanish shipbuilder, has commenced the construction of two new maritime workboats for the Swedish Navy, marking a significant step forward in enhancing Sweden’s naval capabilities. The steel-cutting ceremony took place at Astilleros Armon’s facility in Jarrio, Asturias, and this new class of vessels is slated to replace the aging HMS Pelikanen and HMS Furusund systems, which have been in operation since the 1960s and 1980s, respectively.
Production at the Jarrio center is expected to continue until 2028, with the new workboats designed to operate effectively alongside other naval units. Their primary roles will include support for torpedo supply, recovery operations, logistics, and diving assistance. The specifications for each vessel highlight their robust design: they will feature a hull width of 11 meters (36 feet), a length of 50 meters (164 feet), and a displacement of approximately 1,000 tons (907,185 kilograms).
This shipbuilding initiative is part of Sweden’s broader strategy to modernize its naval fleet. Recently, the Swedish government announced the acquisition of four new harbor tugs intended to facilitate the movement of goods, military trucks, and containers among naval bases, surface vessels, and submarines. This is in addition to a life extension program for existing Trossbat light cable boats, which serve critical roles within amphibious units.
The development of the navy’s ice-class harbor tug fleet has also been confirmed, with plans for these vessels to operate effectively in sub-zero temperatures, particularly in northern regions. This expansion and modernization effort underscores Sweden’s commitment to fortifying its maritime defense capabilities and enhancing operational efficiency across its naval forces.
