Saab unveils optionally crewed CB90 CX ahead of Euronaval 2026

Saab has officially introduced the Combat Boat 90 CX, a new family of vessels designed for a variety of specialized maritime roles. According to coverage from Naval News and The War Zone, this new iteration is a larger, optionally crewed evolution of the previously proven Combat Boat 90. The CB90 CX is designed to handle diverse operational requirements including reconnaissance, air defense, and anti-ship warfare. This unveiling occurs just ahead of the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, marking a transition for the platform from prototype stages into a formal production line. Multiple defense outlets are tracking the development of this platform.

Breaking Defense highlights that the new speed assault boat is specifically intended for use by the Swedish Navy, while Nordic Defence Sector reports that Sweden has already become the first customer for the CB90 CX line. Janes Defence Intelligence and Naval News both emphasize the vessel's optionally crewed capabilities, which allow for varying levels of human presence on board depending on the mission. This shift toward optional crewing is a central theme across the reporting from these industry-specific sources. Context for the development of the CB90 CX is provided by SLDinfo.com, which positions the boat alongside France’s SMOKERS tender as an indicator of a broader trend toward a new class of small combatants. The evolution of the CB90 series reflects a move toward larger vessel sizes and increased versatility compared to the original Combat Boat 90.

By expanding the family of boats to include specific configurations for air defense and anti-ship warfare, as noted by Мілітарний, Saab is targeting a wider array of naval combat requirements for modern littoral environments. Moving forward, the focus remains on the transition to the production line and the upcoming presentations at Euronaval 2026. The coverage indicates that the Swedish Navy will be the primary early adopter of the technology. Observers will likely monitor how the optionally crewed features are implemented in active service and whether other nations follow Sweden's lead in procuring the CB90 CX family. The integration of the vessel into anti-ship and air defense roles remains a key technical detail for future operational assessments as the boats move from reveal to deployment.