Defense contractor Saab has decided to consolidate its maritime operations into a new business area, Naval. The new organizational structure will take effect on April 1, according to a press release.

As part of this restructuring, operations from the Kockums business area will be merged with significant portions of the Naval Combat Systems unit, which is currently part of the Surveillance business area. The new Naval business area will be headed by Mats Wicksell, the current head of Kockums.

"We are consolidating and developing our naval offering to provide increased value to our customers. Saab is strengthening its market position by creating greater efficiency and accelerated innovation," says Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson.

Saab's naval portfolio is currently spread across several organizational units. The Kockums business area develops and produces surface combatants, submarines, and autonomous underwater vehicles. The Naval Combat Systems unit develops, produces, and integrates combat management systems, fire control systems, and secure communication solutions. The new Naval business area will now bring these operations together within a single organization.