Swedish defence manufacturer Saab has introduced the optionally crewed Combat Boat 90 Capability X (CB90 CX), an advanced combat vessel designed to address emerging maritime security threats. The platform will be available in three specialised configurations supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-ship warfare, and short-range air defence (SHORAD) missions.
The CB90 CX builds on the company’s established CB90 fast assault craft, which entered service with the Swedish Armed Forces in the early 1990s. More than 300 vessels from the CB90 family are currently operated by nine navies worldwide, including Ukraine.
The latest variant features an extended 18-metre (59-foot) hull, approximately 1.4 metres longer than its predecessor, providing additional payload capacity. It also incorporates significantly upgraded onboard systems while retaining the core operational characteristics of earlier troop-transport versions.
Sweden Becomes Launch Customer
Sweden will serve as the launch customer for the CB90 CX and operate the new vessels alongside its existing, smaller CB90 NG fleet. According to Swedish publication EFN, the country has ordered 36 CB90 boats through multiple procurement contracts since 2024.
The average unit cost is estimated at slightly more than 40 million Swedish kronor (approximately $4 million), although the final price depends on the equipment and configuration selected.
Saab confirmed that production of the CB90 CX for Sweden is already underway but has not disclosed the expected delivery schedule. The vessels will contribute to the modernisation of Sweden’s amphibious battalions under the Amfbat 2030 doctrine. The initiative aims to establish a more mobile, lethal, dispersed and data-driven amphibious force.
Three Configurations for Diverse Maritime Missions
The CB90 CX will be available in three mission-specific variants, each designed to deliver specialised operational capabilities.
The ISR configuration integrates Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar to improve maritime surveillance, situational awareness and multi-domain intelligence capabilities. The system is intended to strengthen threat detection and operational monitoring across complex maritime environments.
The anti-ship configuration incorporates MBDA’s MARTE ER missiles, providing over-the-horizon engagement capabilities against enemy surface vessels. This configuration enhances the platform’s ability to conduct offensive maritime operations while maintaining operational flexibility.
The SHORAD configuration features Rheinmetall’s SeaSnake 30 remotely operated naval gun system, designed to counter aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters and loitering munitions.
Advanced SeaSnake 30 Strengthens Air Defence Capabilities
The SeaSnake 30 is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon capable of firing up to 1,100 rounds per minute. Its integrated targeting architecture includes electro-optical cameras, infrared sensors, a laser rangefinder, automatic target detection and multi-target tracking capabilities.
The weapon system also supports programmable airburst ammunition, improving its effectiveness against small and fast-moving aerial threats, particularly drones and loitering munitions.
In February 2026, Stockholm placed an initial order for eight SeaSnake 30 systems, with the first delivery expected in February 2028.
The three CB90 CX configurations can operate independently, together or as components of a broader joint operational force. Their combined capabilities provide maritime surveillance, precision surface engagement and short-range air defence, reflecting the growing importance of flexible, network-enabled combat platforms in modern naval operations.
