Saab is looking to close a major gap in maritime security with Ocean Barrier, an integrated underwater surveillance system designed to monitor activity beneath the surface.
The platform connects underwater sensors and surveillance capabilities, allowing operators to detect, track, and analyze activity across ports, offshore installations, coastal areas, and territorial waters.
Rather than relying on isolated sensors, Ocean Barrier combines data collection and operator capabilities to create a real-time picture of activity across monitored areas.
Its scalable architecture supports a range of protection requirements, from a single harbor or naval base to extensive stretches of coastline and national waters.
The system is also designed to work with existing surveillance infrastructure, while its modular architecture leaves room for additional sensors and analytical capabilities as requirements change.
“In a grey zone scenario or conflict, an aggressor may try to disrupt vital sea lines of communication thereby damaging both economic activity and military logistics,” said Åsa Schöllin, head of Underwater Systems at Saab’s business area Naval.
“With Ocean Barrier, we provide customers with a scalable and future-ready solution that delivers continuous awareness, enabling faster decisions and more effective protection of critical assets and maritime areas.”
Three Layers of Underwater Protection
Ocean Barrier is built around three defensive layers called Detect, Prevent, and Protect, which can operate independently or as part of a larger integrated system.
This setup allows operators to tailor surveillance and protection to different environments, from individual facilities to much larger maritime areas.
Its sensor-agnostic design also makes it compatible with different surveillance systems, connecting their data within a single network.
By combining information from multiple sources, Ocean Barrier helps operators develop a more complete picture of underwater activity and identify potential threats across protected areas.
Saab demonstrated the system at REPMUS 2026, an international exercise focused on maritime unmanned systems, where it integrated data from multiple sensor systems.
