Sweden is planning to acquire two new state-of-the-art submarines and upgrade two aging vessels, according to Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors.

In February 2010, Swedish shipbuilding company Kockums AB signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to construct the next-generation submarines, according to barentsobserver.com.

The two new submarines will replace the navy’s two aging Södermanland Class submarines and are scheduled to be delivered to the Swedish Navy in 2018-2019.

Two of the navy’s Gotland Class attack submarines will also receive major upgrades as part of the proposed government investment.