Sweden’s arms procurement agency has awarded Finnish manufacturer Marine Alutech a contract valued at 130 million Swedish krona ($14 million) for the procurement of 20 Watercat M9 watercraft. The new vessels will serve Sweden’s amphibious battalions, replacing older Watercat M8 models previously transferred to Ukraine.
This procurement aims to maintain and enhance the operational capabilities of the battalions, with the contract providing for deliveries through 2028. The initial phase will see a pre-series vessel delivered, followed by the remaining 19 boats over the next several years.
Designed for versatility, the Watercat M9 can transport up to eight personnel along with two crew members or carry various small cargo payloads. These boats will be employed for moving personnel and equipment within and between the battalions’ operational areas, ensuring rapid and flexible support for amphibious operations.
The M9 features a reduced draft of approximately 40 centimeters (15.7 inches), allowing it to navigate extremely shallow waters—less than one meter deep—across rivers and coastal beach environments. Powered by a diesel water jet, the vessel is capable of sustaining service speeds over 30 knots (34.5 mph or 55.5 km/h) even when fully loaded, offering both speed and reliability for Swedish defense needs.
