The Combat Boat 90 / Stridsbåt 90H is a military high-speed armored assault craft developed by the Swedish company Dockstavarvet, a part of the Saab conglomerate.
The Swedish government has announced the transfer of ten combat boats and dozens of auxiliary vessels to the Ukrainian Navy and river fleet. Ukrainian military will receive Gruppbat auxiliary boats and Combat Boat 90H (CB90) combat boats. Most likely, they will be delivered in their basic version from the stocks of the Swedish Navy.
These boats are expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian marine infantry in river crossing operations and provide new capabilities to the Naval Forces and Special Operations Forces in operations in the Black Sea.
Today we’ll talk about the fast armored assault boats Combat Boat 90 / Stridsbåt 90H, which will soon be joining the arsenal of the Ukrainian Navy and Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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The international arms and military equipment market has long been dominated by major manufacturers from leading countries. As a result, new players rarely enter the market, and their successes are almost always limited to supplying small batches of products. However, sometimes such companies manage to present an interesting product to the buyer, which increases the number of export contracts. This was roughly the case with the Swedish boats of the Strb 90H (CB90) project. Initially developed for the needs of the Swedish Navy, they later attracted the interest of several other countries. As a result, third countries purchased several dozen boats of this model.
The Stridsbåt 90H is a high-speed military boat developed by the company Dockstavarvet. Initially conceived as a replacement for the old Tpbs 200-class boats of the Swedish fleet, it is an export version of the Strp 90H, where the official Swedish designation “H” signifies that the boat is capable of transporting and deploying up to half of a fully equipped infantry platoon. The boat was commissioned into service in 1991.
The Stridsbåt 90H boats are currently used by the naval forces of several countries, including Norway (as S90N), Greece, Mexico (as CB90 HMN), Malaysia, and Brazil.
The Stridsbåt 90H or Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is designed for rapid delivery of assault groups, conducting strike operations, coastal defense and patrol, as well as support for special operations.
These boats can also be used for reconnaissance, mine laying, observation, and gathering intelligence. For the latter, a location radar system is installed onboard.
The boat is capable of carrying up to 21 fully equipped troops or cargo weighing up to 4.5 tons. The troop compartment is located in the central part of the boat under the superstructure, and troops disembark through the bow ramp. Thanks to its shallow draft, the boat can land troops even on unprepared shores.
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Work on the Stridsbåt 90H project began in the late eighties when the Swedish Navy command announced a competition to create a new lightweight multi-purpose boat, intended to replace the outdated Tpbs 200. Among the requirements for the prospective boat were specified maximum dimensions and displacement, as well as the ability to use it as an amphibious vehicle to deliver half a platoon of marines (21 people) to the shore. Several shipbuilding companies submitted their competitive bids, and in 1988, the Swedish Navy announced the winner. The project presented by Dockstavarvet was considered the most interesting and promising. Just a year after signing the contract to develop the project, two prototype boats were built at the shipyard.
Testing of these two boats lasted several months. During these trials, almost all the drawbacks were identified and quickly rectified. The refined and perfected boat fully met the customer’s expectations. In June 1990, the Swedish Navy officially began using the new boat under the designation Stridsbåt 1990 Halv pluton or abbreviated Strb 90H (“combat boat of the 1990 model, designed to transport half a platoon”). For export deliveries, the new multi-purpose boat also received an English name – Combat Boat 90 or CB90, which is a partial translation of the original name. Later, this designation became officially used for the boats of the Swedish Navy as well.
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In the development of the Stridsbåt 90H boat, the need to combine simplicity of production, seaworthiness, high speed characteristics, and necessary cargo capacity was taken into account. The solution to this technical challenge was based on the extensive use of aluminum SS 144140. Almost the entire structure of the boat is made of this metal and its alloys.
The hull, consisting of an aluminum frame and cladding, has a length of 14.9 meters at the waterline (15.9 meters overall) and a width of 3.85 meters. The draft is 0.8 meters. It should be noted that considering these dimensions, the Strb 90H is quite light: its displacement does not exceed 18 tons. The boat’s hull features characteristics typical for this class of craft.
To facilitate the execution of amphibious tasks, the bow section and the bottom of the boat are reinforced and equipped with a lowering ramp. In the raised position, the ramp gives the bow section a characteristic truncated shape. In the middle section of the boat, there is a wheelhouse with working positions for a two-person crew. The wheelhouse is lightly armored against splinters. Immediately behind it is an armored compartment for transporting troops. Half a platoon of marines (21 people) can board and disembark from the boat either through the stern or through the ramp located in the bow section. In the latter case, they pass through the wheelhouse and enter a small corridor between it and the bow ramp. For convenience, the corridor is covered from above by a two-part hatch that opens during disembarkation.
The troop compartment, where soldiers and their equipment are accommodated, is located in the middle section of the boat. 25% of the aft section of the hull consists of an open deck and can serve as a floating command post with additional communication equipment or as an artillery boat with possible weapon deployment. The aft section of the Stridsbåt 90H boat is designed in such a way that it can accommodate any necessary equipment – from weapons or cargo to a lightweight additional cabin. In the cargo compartment or on the stern, up to 4.5 tons of cargo can be accommodated.
The unique ramp ensures rapid deployment of forces and swift evacuation of casualties onto the shore.
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The Strb 90H boat is equipped with armament according to the customer’s preferences. The standard armament of the boat consists of three Browning M2HB 12.7mm machine guns, with one mounted on a turret in the stern section of the wheelhouse. It can be replaced with a remotely controlled stabilized machine gun turret.
A paired 12.7mm machine gun is installed forward of the helm position. Additionally, the boat is equipped with one Mk 19 grenade launcher and a modified Hellfire RBS 17 SSM system. It can also carry 2.8 tons of naval mines or six depth charges.
In the stern section of the boat’s hull, there are two Scania DSI14 V8 diesel engines with a power of 625 horsepower each. The engines transmit torque to two Rolls-Royce Kamewa FF waterjets. With this powertrain, the Strb 90H boat can accelerate up to 45 knots. The maximum range is approximately 440 kilometers at a cruising speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). This is sufficient for carrying out most tasks assigned to boats of this class.
The waterjets used have an interesting feature: they can operate even when the water channel is not completely filled. This allows the boat to perform complex maneuvers with a significant roll. The boat is equipped for troop landing even on unprepared shores.
The civilian version of the patrol boat can be equipped with two diesel engines with a power of 550 kW each, providing a maximum speed of up to 45 knots.
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The first multi-functional Strb 90H boats were delivered to the Swedish Navy in 1991. In total, for the needs of their fleet, the Swedes assembled around two hundred such boats, which were built in three stages. Boats of different series slightly differed from each other in equipment and manufacturing technologies. Most of the boats were assembled in the basic version with adjustments for a particular series, and a few were modified to perform special tasks. This led to the emergence of several modifications.
Stridsbåt 90L (Ledning – “Leadership”). This is the command variant of the boat, designed to oversee the actions of a marine infantry battalion. It features a range of special control and communication equipment, as well as an additional generator that provides power for the equipment.
Stridsbåt 90KompL (Kompani-Ledning – “Company Leadership”). Another command variant, nearly identical to the basic boat. It is equipped with equipment for commanding at the company level and an additional generator.
Stridsbåt 90HS – a variant designed for operations at long distances from the base. It differs from the basic boat with reinforced armor, climate control system, additional generator, and new more powerful engines, compensating for the increased weight of the structure. Otherwise, it is analogous to the Strb 90H.
Stridsbåt 90 Polis – a police variant adapted for prolonged patrolling. The former troop compartment is outfitted with provisions and crew rest areas.
A rescue boat with a decompression chamber, designed for rescuing submariners. The official designation is unknown, but at least one such boat has been built.
Search and Rescue variant for the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS). It is not armed but equipped with a set of rescue and medical equipment.
As we can see, the design of the basic Strb 90H boat allowed it to be used as a platform for equipping it with various-purpose equipment. Presumably, this fact drew the attention of foreign militaries. Currently, export variants of the boat under the general name Combat Boat 90 (CB90) are in service in six countries. Norway was the first customer for these boats, for which a modification called SB90N (Strb 90N) was specifically developed. The letter N in the name is an abbreviation for Norsk utgave – “Norwegian version”.
The twenty SB90N boats for Norway are generally similar to the basic model but differ from it in several construction and equipment nuances. For example, the Norwegian boats have a higher troop compartment, allowing soldiers to stand at full height, as well as two new compartments in the bow section. The latter house a toilet and storage space for various equipment or armaments. Additionally, the SB90N boats received a new navigation system based on GPS and a range of other electronic systems. To better power the electronics, an additional generator had to be installed on the export boats. Finally, the Norwegian version of the Strb 90H lost two machine guns in the bow section and received a new anchor winch drive. The latter was moved to the stern. There is information about one Norwegian boat being refitted for a medical variant.
In 2004, Norway decided to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of its SB90N boats. One of them had its machine gun turret removed and replaced with equipment for the Hellfire missile system. A stabilized launcher was developed based on a remotely controlled turret used for ground-based M151 Protector vehicles and installed at the stern of the boat. The test launches were successful, but shortly afterward, the project was probably discontinued. There have been no new reports about Norway’s plans to equip SB90N boats with guided missiles. Most likely, Norwegian naval forces abandoned this idea.
In 1998, a new contract was signed, under which the Dockstavarvet shipyard built and delivered three vessels to Greece in the CB90HCG version (HGC – Hellenic Coastal Guard). In its main features, this variant of the vessel resembled the version for the Norwegian Navy but differed in the set of electronic equipment. Vessels of the SB90N or CB90 project, after minor modifications, were also supplied to Malaysia (17 units in two versions), Mexico (48 units), and Brazil (no more than 10). All countries that purchased Swedish vessels use them for patrol purposes, as well as for transporting various cargoes.
Perhaps the most interesting contract signed for the construction of CB90 boats for a foreign customer was the contract with the United States. After the Iraq War in the mid-2000s, the U.S. Navy decided to reestablish its riverine units. As a result of this decision, the first riverine group (1st Riverine Group or RIVGRU 1) was established within the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) in 2006. Soon after, three riverine squadrons (RIVRON) numbered from 1 to 3 were formed within this unit. Starting from the early months of 2007, RIVGRU 1 squadrons operated on the rivers of Iraq.
Immediately after the establishment of the new units, the question arose about their technical equipment. For several months, the riverine group soldiers had to use ordinary motorboats and light boats, which did not always meet their requirements. Consequently, the American command, interested in the Swedish multi-purpose boats, initiated the purchase of a license for their production. In the first half of 2007, SAFE Boats reached an agreement with Dockstavarvet for the licensed construction of CB90 boats at its manufacturing facilities. Subsequently, a contract was signed for the construction of two boats with a total value of 4.8 million dollars. The operation of the first licensed CB90 boats began in the same year, 2007.
To date, SAFE Boats has delivered six CB90 boats to RIVGRU 1, accepted into the unit under the new designation RCB – Riverine Command Boat. Each riverine squadron has at its disposal two RCB boats and 16 small boats of two types. The personnel of each RIVGRU consists of 224 individuals.
According to several sources, the American company SAFE Boat acquired a license to build a slightly modernized version of the CB90 boat. The most noticeable change is in the onboard armament composition. As seen in available photographs, the RCB boats have lost the forward pair of machine guns, but this loss has been more than compensated for. In addition to the M2HB machine gun on the ring turret, the American boats have received a variety of armaments. Different combinations of heavy-caliber M2HB machine guns (including paired ones), 7.62-millimeter M60s, and six-barreled M134 Miniguns are installed on various boats. Consequently, the firepower of the boat has increased significantly without any special tricks. Now it is capable of engaging enemy forces and various light watercraft that may become its targets.
Currently, nearly three hundred Strb 90H boats and their modifications are in service in six countries worldwide. The construction of new equipment of this type continues, but understandably, the pace has significantly decreased compared to the early years of production. Nevertheless, these boats remain the main light watercraft of the Swedish Navy, designed to perform a wide range of tasks. Over the past two decades, Strb 90H has demonstrated its capabilities, modernization potential, and export prospects. In the coming years, boats of this type will continue to serve in the navies of several countries, and new states may appear in the list of buyers, which require a light, maneuverable, and easy-to-operate boat.
Now Ukraine is also joining the ranks of countries that have these highly interesting combat landing boats in their arsenal.
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Vessels of this class, thanks to their maritime capabilities and capacity, are well suited for transporting Ukrainian special operations units across the Black Sea to the Crimean Peninsula.
In the current conditions of intense fighting against the occupiers, every precision projectile, every combat vehicle, every air defense system, every cruise missile, and every combat assault boat is extremely vital to us. Therefore, we sincerely want to thank our Western friends and partners for their assistance and support. There is no escape for the aggressors from accountability. Glory to Ukraine! Death to the enemies! Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
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