Sweden signs for new amphibious group boats

Sweden’s MoD has signed a contract with Marine Alutech Oy Ab for 20 amphibious group boats to equip its amphibious battalions and replace equipment donated to Ukraine, according to a September 18 press release. 

The order is valued at SEK130 million (approx £10.2 million/€11.7 million) and the first boats delivered will be a pre-series platform with all deliveries to be complete by 2028. Each boat can transport up to eight personnel plus a crew of two, and can also be used to transport cargo. The new group boats will reportedly have improved capabilities over the previous generation.

“It is mainly about the fact that we have taken measures to improve maritime safety and made adjustments to the needs of the new amphibious battalions,” Agnes Moberg, project manager for the Swedish MoD’s marine operations area said in the press release.

The previous group boats are known as Gruppbåt in Swedish service, or M8 landing craft by Marine Alutech. Sweden ordered 100 of them in the 1990s, and they are also in service with Finland and Ukraine. The boats have a very shallow draught of around 20 cm, which enables them to take men and supplies ashore even at relatively high speeds. They are 8.2 metres long, displace 2.1 tons, and have top speeds in excess of 30 knots. 

They are used by Sweden’s two amphibious regiments, which are responsible for coastal defence using anti-ship missile systems and rapid response to threats using the CB90 and group boats. 

Calibre comment

Russia is known to make extensive use of its special forces early in a conflict, continuing an approach that was used repeatedly during the Cold War. Sweden’s extensive coastline provides many potential hiding places for small, long-range reconnaissance forces to come ashore. So, developing and maintaining the ability to rapidly detect and respond to them has always been key. Replenishing the Group Boats will presumably contribute to this readiness. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on September 22, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Marine Alutech. It shows a concept image for the new Group Boats.