Saab’s submarine business slowed by the German government – New Technology

     Stirling engines are an important part of Kockums submarine technology. Photo: TT
     

Saab purchase by Kockums going slower than anticipated. Reportedly, the federal government in Germany oppose the deal.

Defense Group Saab and shipyard owner, German Thyssen Krupp, said in the spring that they agree about selling Kockums to Saab. A non-binding agreement was written on.

However, according to the German renowned magazine Die Wirtschaftswoche can purchase negotiations slower than expected.

Federal Government is concerned that the German fuel cell technology, which makes the country’s submarines silent under the surface, to have been transferred to Kockums. There are fears that the secrets could leak. Although Thyssen Krupp assures that any knowledge transfer has not taken place, the government can consider that the sale to another country requires approval of the Federal Security Council. It handles just including arms export business.

According to the magazine should Thyssen Krupp and the federal government to remain in constant contact with each other in Kockums case.

On May 26, also met the relevant top politicians – Defense Minister Karin Enstrom and her German colleague Ursula von der Leyen – in Stockholm. Materials Collaboration was on the agenda. But the main focus was on Ukraine crisis, says Enströms press secretary Henrik Hedberg for New Technology. He does not want any closer than clarify what the ministers were talking about.

According to Wirtschaftswoche, plans can also be dashed as Thyssen Krupp’s majority owner is against the deal.

While driving the Swedish investment company Cevian Capital, which now has 15 percent of the shares in Thyssen Krupp, the spin-off of the Swedish part. Company is also poised to increase its ownership and hence its influence in the German group.

Here at home, there are strong hopes that the deal still must get rid of.

– It does really matter what the German government is doing. Saab may be the start of a new shipyard, says an inside source.

According person has ThyssenKrupp to choose whether to receive some money now, or no later, the facility in Karlskrona. The yard is said to have to be renovated for many millions.

At Saab would not comment on what is said in negotiations.

“Saab is in a position where it is impossible for us to talk about a possible future in this area, “says the company’s press officers Helena Dahlberg in an email.

But as leaked Saab has made a bid for Kockums. ThyssenKrupp is entering position to get paid more.

For Saab herons billion order for two new Swedish submarines, called A26, and on halvtidsmoderniseringar on two or three of the submarines of the Gotland class.