Saab has been selected by NATO to spearhead the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network (AUWB-MN), a multinational effort to create a shared system linking allied naval forces across domains.
The project will establish a reference architecture and testing framework through the “Mangrove” consortium, enabling manned and unmanned assets to operate together in the surface, subsurface, and aerial domains.
Designed to improve joint situational awareness and secure data exchange, the network will strengthen NATO’s ability to coordinate during complex maritime operations.
The AUWB-MN contract was awarded in July under NATO’s Digital Ocean and Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative, which involves 12 allied nations, including leadership from the UK as well as contributions from Sweden, the US, and Germany. Member states have agreed to adopt the network standard upon completion.
The consortium, led by Saab’s Kockums unit, brings together Cetena, IDS, FlySight, GraalTech, Miraya, Saab UK, BlueBear, S2IX, and the University of Plymouth.
NATO has highlighted the project’s urgency given the rapid growth of submarine warfare capabilities and undersea surveillance systems by competitor states. Once operational, AUWB-MN will serve as a key enabler for NATO’s antisubmarine warfare posture and secure sea-lane protection.
