Saab AB
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
Manufacturer details
SE-581 88 Linköping
e-mail: infosaab@saab.se
Web:
Company history
Svenska Aeroplan AB was founded at Trollhättan in 1937 to make military aircraft. It amalgamated in 1939 with the Aircraft Division of the Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna rolling stock factory at Linköping. It was renamed Saab Aktiebolag in May 1965, it merged with Scania-Vabis in 1968 to combine automotive interests. Malmö Flygindustri was acquired in 1968. A bid for Celsius AB was launched 16 November 1999 and it’s acquisition completed on 8 March 2000. The enlarged company was reorganised in 2000 into six main business areas and several independent operations:
- Saab Aerospace: Combining military aircraft, future aerospace systems and commercial programmes. Described in further detail below.
- Saab Aviation Services: Commercial aircraft maintenance and engine and component maintenance. Comprises of Celsius Aviation Services, Saab Aircraft and Saab Aircraft Leasing. It holds type certificates for Saab 340 and Saab 2000 regional turboprop airliners, the production of which ended in 1999.
- Saab Systems and Electronics: Electronic warfare, simulation and training and radar control, including Combitech Systems and Ericsson Saab Avionics.
- Saab Bofors Dynamics: Missiles, anti-armour and underwater systems.
- Saab Technical Support and Services: Including aircraft maintenance.
- Saab Ericsson Space: Digital, microwave and mechanical products.
It was announced on 30 April 1998 that Saab's owner, Investor AB, had approved the sale to British Aerospace plc (now BAE Systems) of a 35 per cent voting shareholding. Investor remains Saab's leading owner, with 36 per cent of the votes and 20 per cent of the capital. Purchase rights to the remaining 29 per cent of votes and 45 per cent of capital continue to be offered to Investor shareholders.
More than 4,000 military and commercial aircraft have been delivered since 1940. The company has held dealership for MD Helicopters (formerly Schweizer/Hughes, McDonnell Douglas and Boeing) products in Scandinavia and Finland since 1962. In September 2000, Saab announced entry into the design of UAVs, in conjunction with Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and other local industries.
On 14 July 2003, Saab's Aerospace division was restructured into two business units and a support organisation:
- Saab Aerosystems: Operating areas include defence market, including the Gripen, advanced air combat systems such as UAVs, and subsystems for other aircraft. The main activity of Aerosystems is the development and production of the Gripen multirole fighter.
- Saab Aerostructures: Responsible for fuselage and structural components manufacture for Gripen, Airbus, Boeing, helicopters and other aircraft.
- Saab Support: Group services for business units at Linköping, co-ordinated with other sites.
The original Industrigruppen JAS AB (JAS Industry Group) was formed in 1981 to represent (then) Saab-Scania (65 per cent share), Ericsson (16 per cent), Volvo Flygmotor (15 per cent) and FFV Aerotech (4 per cent) in the JAS 39 Gripen programme. It continues to act as contractor for Försvarets Materielverk (Defence Materiel Administration, FMV) and co-ordinated JAS 39 Gripen programme within Sweden. Volvo Flygmotor became Volvo Aero in 1994 and FFV Aerotech share passed to Celsius in 1990 through a merger with Bofors. Employees of Saab Aerospace totalled 4,120 in 2001. International marketing of the JAS 39 Gripen is now a responsibility of Saab and BAE Systems, acting jointly since November 1995.
Gripen International was formed 3 September 2001 to strengthen Saab-BAE Systems marketing ventures. It is jointly owned and staffed, but registered in Sweden.
