Saab is to create a new £50 million Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) centre in the UK as a hub for its participation in the programme.
The UK and Sweden signed a MoU on FCAS co-operation in July 2019 and Saab is leading Sweden’s FCAS industrial participation in close co-operation with Sweden’s Ministry of Defence.
Combat Air is an important part of Saab’s strategy for long-term growth and the company is taking the necessary steps to remain at the forefront of System of Systems development and the advanced technologies within Combat Air.
Micael Johansson, Saab president and CEO, said: ”Combat Air is a key component of Sweden’s defence policy and it is defined as a national security interest. Saab’s FCAS strategy ensures that the technology is in place to support a long-term future air capability and also to support continuous upgrades of Gripen E for decades to come.”
“Saab took the decision to create a new FCAS centre so that we can further develop the close working relationship with the other FCAS industrial partners and the UK Ministry of Defence. This emphasises the importance of both FCAS and the UK to Saab’s future.”
The location of Saab’s FCAS centre is currently being considered. The centre forms part of Saab’s long-term plans for the UK market to develop indigenous capabilities, invest in R&D and grow intellectual property.