When Saab was founded in 1937, its primary aim was to provide military aircraft for Sweden. Today, Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions from military defence to civil security. With operations on every continent, Saab continuously develops, adapts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
Saab bases its strategy on focus areas – market, portfolio, performance and innovation. This means that we stay close to our customers, we develop our portfolio continuously and we work effectively with innovation as a guiding principle in all our businesses. Sustainability is at the core of our business and affects everything we do, and our engaged employees make the company excel and are the key to our continued growth.
What were the main factors that motivated Saab to consider Portugal as a strategic destination for investment and industrial cooperation, namely in the context of the potential acquisition of Gripen fighter jets?
Gripen E would offer Portugal a truly European solution, combining speed of innovation, adaptability, and cost-efficiency with full NATO interoperability, dispersed operations capability, and a future-proof architecture. Gripen E would significantly strengthen Portuguese and European strategic defence capabilities through long-term industrial partnership and technological sovereignty.
Since starting operations in Portugal, how do you assess your global experience in the country – both in terms of institutional relations and business opportunities and industrial cooperation?
Saab have been engaged in Portugal for decades in different project within all three branches (Army, Navy and Air Force) and non-military area as Air Traffic Management. This project has made us come closer because of many different working relationships, for example education of maintenance personnel for the Carl-Gustaf system or maintenance and repair technicians for our system on the submarines etc.
In 2025, Saab signed collaborative agreements with Portuguese industry partners and sectors like OGMA and Critical Software, and more recently with AED Cluster Portugal to explore integration into global value chains tied to the Gripen program; this is seen as a constructive step toward mutual industrial goals. Portuguese authorities and industry clusters have emphasized interest in technological partnerships and participation in advanced defense projects, supporting Saab’s engagement strategy. These efforts underscore Portugal’s attractiveness as a partner capable of providing skilled human capital and access to broader European defense ecosystems.
How do you assess the quality and qualification of the workforce in Portugal in the technological and industrial sector, especially in areas relevant to your activity such as defense, aeronautics and advanced systems?
Saab´s business is growing and we need skilled and capable partners to be able to meet our customers´ needs. We see excellent match with know-how and skills of both OGMA and Critical Software, as well as with local academic sector.
How would you rate the business environment in Portugal in terms of stability, predictability, and competitiveness for a Swedish company with a global reach like Saab?
Portugal has cultivated work force with very high technical skills, particularly in sectors relevant to Saab’s interests. Government and business community statements highlight that Portugal’s workforce and engineering base offer strong capabilities in advanced manufacturing, software, and aerospace-related disciplines – attributes that are attractive for high-technology defense cooperation. Portugal’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape and commitment to innovation and renewable technologies, further supporting a favorable environment for technologically intensive partnerships are the values shared by Sweden and Saab.
Saab has developed memoranda of understanding and partnerships with Portuguese entities (such as OGMA, Critical Software, and AED Cluster Portugal). How do these partnerships strengthen industrial cooperation, and what impact do they aim to achieve?
Saab´s business is growing and we need skilled and capable partners to be able to meet our customers´ needs. We see excellent matches with the know-how and skills of both OGMA and Critical Software.
For example, with Critical Software, we are working intensely to define Gripen related AI project. Also, in November 2025, Saab signed Memorandum of Understanding with AED Cluster Portugal that allows effective exploration of potential opportunities for industrial cooperation between Saab and Portuguese industry, strengthening the cooperation between Saab and Portugal, but also boosting European Defence Industry.
Saab states that sustainability is integrated into its strategy. How do you consider that Portugal contributes to your company’s objectives in the areas of sustainability and green transition?
Sustainability is an integrated part of Saab’s strategy to drive value for customers, partners, employees, owners and society as a whole. Contributing to safe and resilient societies in light of increased instability in the world, Saab is committed to maximising the positive impact on sustainability from its operations while ensuring that research, innovation and technology help enable sustainable development. Sustainability is integrated in all aspects of our strategy and focuses on three strategic commitments: defence and security capability, leading compliance programmes and responsibility for people and environment.
What are Saab’s main strategic objectives for the future in Portugal and in the bilateral relationship with Sweden – including expansion, innovation, industrial partnerships, and contributions to European security?
Saab’s objectives include deepening industrial partnerships, supporting innovation and skills development, and contributing to European defense and security. Portugal is seen as a long-term partner where industrial cooperation, technological development, and bilateral ties with Sweden can grow in a long-term and mutually beneficial way.
