SAAB B

Overview

Saab AB is a Swedish defence and aerospace company whose products and services support military defence and civil security. Founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer, it states its mission as keeping people and society safe. Its principal business areas are Aeronautics, Dynamics, Surveillance and Kockums, alongside the technology consultancy Combitech. Its products include Gripen fighter aircraft, weapons and missile systems, radar and airborne surveillance systems, and submarines.[1][2]

Saab operates in more than 30 countries and serves customers in over 100 countries. In 2025, it reported net sales of SEK 79.1 billion and 27,863 employees at year-end.[1][2] [1][2]

Products & services

Saab’s aircraft products include the Gripen C/D and E/F fighter systems and its contribution to the Boeing–Saab T-7A advanced pilot-training system. Gripen E incorporates an active electronically scanned array radar and electronic-warfare systems; Saab lists ten external hardpoints and a maximum take-off weight of 16,500 kg. The company also supplies GlobalEye, an airborne early-warning and control system that combines Erieye Extended Range radar with other sensors and command-and-control capabilities for surveillance across air, sea and land.[3]+3

Its ground and air-defence products include Giraffe surveillance radars, the reusable Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless weapon, disposable AT4 launchers, the NLAW short-range anti-tank weapon and the laser-guided RBS 70 NG air-defence system. Carl-Gustaf M4 uses different ammunition for targets including armour and structures; Saab specifies a 20–800 metre combat range for NLAW and an effective range exceeding 9,000 metres for RBS 70 NG. The portfolio also includes the RBS15 family of anti-ship missiles and camouflage systems.[7]+6

For naval customers, Saab offers conventional submarines, including the A26 design, as well as the 9LV combat-management system, naval radars and lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes. The 9LV system integrates shipboard sensors and weapons and supports data fusion and decision-making. Saab’s services include maintenance, repairs, spare parts, upgrades, technical support and training and simulation for its defence systems.[14]+5 [3]+16

Geographic presence

Saab has a substantial operating base in Sweden and identifies Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States as strategic markets. It has offices in approximately 30 countries and operations in approximately 80 countries. Its head office is in Stockholm, with a main office in Linköping.[20]+2

In 2024, Sweden accounted for SEK 26.1 billion, or about 41% of Saab’s SEK 63.8 billion in sales. The rest of Europe contributed SEK 15.8 billion (25%); North America SEK 6.1 billion (10%); Asia SEK 5.3 billion (8%); Latin America SEK 4.6 billion (7%); and Australia and other locations SEK 3.4 billion (5%). Smaller amounts came from Africa and sales for which the country was undisclosed. Saab’s average workforce was 23,375 in 2024, with the majority based in Sweden.[23][24] [20]+13

Business segments

Saab reports four business areas—Aeronautics, Dynamics, Surveillance and Kockums—and reports its technology consultancy, Combitech, separately. Aeronautics develops, produces and supports military and civilian aircraft systems. Dynamics focuses on ground-combat weapons, missiles, training systems and camouflage. Surveillance provides sensors, radar, electronic-warfare and command-and-control systems. Kockums focuses on submarines, surface vessels and underwater systems, while Combitech provides technology consulting and systems-development services.[25]+5

Based on 2024 external sales, Surveillance was the largest business area at approximately 33% of group sales, followed by Aeronautics at 26%, Dynamics at 22% and Kockums at 13%. Combitech contributed approximately 4%; a small remainder was reported under Corporate. These percentages describe the 2024 sales mix, rather than a fixed allocation across years.[30] [25]+10

Company history

Saab was founded in Sweden on 2 April 1937 to develop and manufacture military aircraft. It expanded into automobiles after the Second World War, presenting a prototype in 1947 and beginning production of the Saab 92 in 1949. In 1969, Saab merged with truck and bus manufacturer Scania-Vabis to form Saab-Scania. The Gripen fighter aircraft made its first flight in 1988.[31]+3

Saab’s automobile business became a separate company in 1990. Saab-Scania was divided in 1995, leaving Saab AB as the defence and aerospace company and Scania as an independent company. Saab AB acquired Swedish defence group Celsius in 2000 and the Kockums naval business in 2014, adding submarine and naval capabilities.[35]+3 [S1][S2][S3][S4][https://www.saab.com/about/company-in-brief/history][https://saabcarmuseum.se/en/saabs-historia/][https://www.scania.com/group/en/home/about-scania/heritage/corporate-milestones/1969-scania-vabis-merges-with-saab.html][https://www.saab.com/markets/india/gripen-for-india/technology/30-years-since-the-first-gripen-flight][https://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/001117.html][https://www.scania.com/group/en/home/about-scania/heritage/corporate-milestones/1995-scania-again-an-independent-company.html][https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2000/saab-has-acquired-99-percent-of-the-shares-in-celsius][https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2014/saab-completes-acquisition-of-tkms-ab-kockums]

Sources

• www.saab.com[1]
• www.saab.com[2]
• SAAB B — Full financial report (2024 Y)
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