The Combat Boat 90 Capability X is larger than its predecessors, with increased payload capacity and comprehensively updated onboard systems. Designed to operate across a wider range of sea states, it uses Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core to support both crewed and uncrewed operations.
“The future of naval operations is not just about having more platforms; it is about distributing greater combat capability across the force. As operational realities change, so does CB90,” said Anders Hellman, head of Saab’s Docksta business unit.
The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance configuration uses Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar to build situational awareness across multiple domains. The anti-ship version provides over-the-horizon strike capability against surface vessels, while the short-range air defence configuration uses an anti-aircraft autocannon.
Saab said the three configurations could operate together or within a wider joint force, combining surveillance and weapons capabilities at dispersed locations. The concept expands the combat boat’s role beyond transporting troops to detecting threats, sharing information and engaging targets directly.
The CB90 CX retains the characteristics of its troop-carrying predecessors while allowing a broader range of equipment to be integrated. The wider CB90 family serves in nine navies across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.
