Saab AB
Swedish aerospace, defense and security company.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Saab AB is a Swedish aerospace, defense and security company whose roots lie in the creation of a domestic aircraft industry during the late 1930s. The company was formally established in 1937 by AB Bofors through the reorganization of an aircraft-engine operation derived from NOHAB. Its early purpose was closely connected with Sweden’s need to develop and manufacture military aircraft domestically, particularly after the country experienced difficulty obtaining sufficient aircraft from overseas suppliers during the Second World War. Saab’s initial operations were centered in Trollhättan and Linköping. In 1940, the company’s structure was reorganized around ASJA, an aircraft manufacturer with an established design bureau in Linköping. This combination created the industrial and engineering foundation for the Saab aircraft lineage. The Saab 17, Saab 18 and Saab 21 were among the company’s first important aircraft programs. Later generations—including the Tunnan, Lansen, Draken, Viggen and JAS 39 Gripen—established Saab as a significant designer and producer of military aircraft. The company diversified beyond aircraft during the postwar period. It entered automobile manufacturing in the late 1940s, producing the Saab 92 and subsequently developing a separate automotive business. Saab’s car division became Saab Automobile, a joint venture with General Motors in 1990. GM acquired full ownership of the automobile company in 2000; the automobile business was therefore separate from the modern Saab AB defense and aerospace group. Saab also entered computing through Datasaab, whose work included aviation computers, and it combined with commercial-vehicle manufacturer Scania-Vabis in 1968 to form Saab-Scania. That combination was dismantled in 1995, leaving Saab AB and Scania as independent companies. Today, Saab’s principal activities cover aeronautics, weapons and missile systems, surveillance, command and control, electronic warfare, naval systems, submarines, underwater vehicles, military training, logistics and support services. Its portfolio includes the Gripen multirole fighter, GlobalEye airborne early-warning and control aircraft, Erieye radar systems, Giraffe ground and naval radar, Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifles, AT4 systems, RBS missile families, torpedoes, submarines and signature-management products. Saab also participates in international development programs and supplies subsystems and structures to wider aerospace programs. The company operates primarily from Sweden, with major development and manufacturing activity in Linköping, while maintaining international subsidiaries, production, support and cooperation arrangements. Its strategy combines long-term domestic defense-industrial capability with export sales, partnerships and technology development. Acquisitions such as Celsius, selected Bofors activities, Blue Bear Research Systems and CrowdAI have expanded Saab’s reach in weapons, sensors, autonomy and artificial intelligence. Saab is listed in Stockholm, with Investor AB as its largest shareholder. Its identity is distinct from the former Saab Automobile brand, although both businesses historically used the Saab name.
History
Saab was created in 1937 as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, following AB Bofors’s reorganization of the aircraft-engine activities associated with NOHAB. The initiative reflected Sweden’s strategic objective of developing a national aircraft industry. A parallel manufacturer, ASJA, had been established in Linköping earlier in the decade. After an attempted cooperation through AB Förenade Flygverkstäder failed to produce the expected industrial arrangement, ASJA was reorganized into the Saab concern in 1939. The Linköping operation became the principal design center, while Trollhättan continued as an important manufacturing location. The company’s first major aircraft programs were developed for the Swedish Air Force. The Saab 17 light bomber first flew in 1940, followed by the Saab 18 and Saab 21. The Saab 21 used a distinctive pusher configuration and later became one of the few piston-engine aircraft to be converted into a jet-powered aircraft. In the postwar period Saab developed a succession of increasingly advanced fighters, including the Saab 29 Tunnan, Saab 32 Lansen, Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen. These programs gave the company experience in aerodynamics, propulsion integration, avionics, weapons carriage and systems engineering. Saab began producing automobiles after the war. The Saab 92 entered full-scale production in 1949, creating a separate automotive identity that later included models such as the 99, 900 and 9-3. The car business was separated as Saab Automobile in 1990 when General Motors acquired a controlling interest, and GM became the sole owner in 2000. This automotive history is not the same as the continuing Saab AB aerospace and defense business. Diversification also included computing. Datasaab developed compact computers for navigation and other specialist applications, including an aircraft computer used in the Viggen program. Datasaab was sold to Sperry UNIVAC in 1975, while Saab retained relevant flight-computer development. In 1965 the corporate name became Saab AB, reflecting the company’s broader activities. In 1968 Saab merged with Scania-Vabis, creating Saab-Scania. Investor AB later acquired Saab-Scania through a leveraged buyout, and the two businesses were separated in 1995. The 1990s and 2000s brought increased internationalization. Saab and British Aerospace established Saab-BAe Gripen AB in 1995 to manufacture, market and support Gripen internationally. Saab also acquired Celsius in 1999–2000, while United Defense Industries acquired Bofors Weapon Systems’ autocannon and tube-artillery interests in 2000; Saab retained missile-related activities. The company joined the Dassault nEUROn unmanned combat-air-vehicle project in 2005 and pursued additional international partnerships in sensors, naval systems and optronics. In 2010 Saab reorganized its operations into five principal business areas: Aeronautics, Dynamics, Electronic Defence Systems, Security and Defence Solutions, and Support and Services. Later organizational changes brought additional emphasis to surveillance, industrial products and services, and integrated support. Saab’s portfolio increasingly combined aircraft with radar, electronic warfare, missiles, command systems, unmanned platforms, submarines and services. During the 2010s and 2020s Saab expanded its international industrial footprint and technology base. Its activities included the Gripen fighter, GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, Erieye radar, Giraffe radar, naval systems from Saab Kockums, signature-management products from Saab Barracuda and a broad range of infantry and missile systems. In 2023 the company announced acquisitions of Blue Bear Research Systems and CrowdAI, adding expertise in autonomous swarms, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Saab remains a Swedish-headquartered, publicly listed defense and aerospace group with engineering and manufacturing centered in Sweden and customers and partners worldwide.
- 2023
Saab expands autonomy and artificial intelligence capabilities
[2]The company announces acquisitions of Blue Bear Research Systems and CrowdAI.
- 2010
Business-area restructuring
[1]Saab reorganizes its operations into five business areas to become more market- and customer-oriented.
- 2005
Saab joins the nEUROn project
[1]Saab becomes a major partner in the European Dassault nEUROn unmanned combat-air-vehicle program.
- 1995
Saab-Scania is demerged
[1]Investor AB separates the group into independent Saab AB and Scania companies.
- 1990
General Motors takes a stake in Saab Automobile
[1]The automotive division is separated as Saab Automobile and becomes a joint venture with General Motors.
- 1968
Saab merges with Scania-Vabis
[1]The companies combine to form Saab-Scania AB.
- 1965
Corporate name changes to Saab AB
[1]The name is changed from Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget to Saab AB as the company broadens beyond aircraft manufacturing.
- 1949
Automobile production begins
[1]Full-scale production of the Saab 92 starts, establishing the company’s later automotive division.
- 1940
Saab 17 makes its first flight
[1]The Saab 17 light bomber becomes the first Saab-designed aircraft to fly.
- 1939
ASJA is incorporated into the Saab concern
[1]The Linköping aircraft operation of ASJA becomes central to the Saab organization after the earlier proposed consortium structure is abandoned.
Products and positioning
High-technology aerospace, defense and security company combining aircraft design, weapons, sensors, naval systems, autonomy and lifecycle support.
Multirole fighter aircraft · 1996
JAS 39 Gripen
Gripen is Saab’s principal contemporary fighter-aircraft family. It is designed as a multirole platform for air defense, air-to-surface missions, reconnaissance and networked operations. The program includes aircraft development, avionics, weapons integration, training, upgrades and long-term support. Saab markets different Gripen variants internationally and continues to develop the aircraft’s sensors, electronic-warfare functions and weapons interfaces.
Airborne early-warning and control
GlobalEye
GlobalEye is Saab’s airborne surveillance and command system, integrating a long-range Erieye radar with mission systems carried on a business-jet platform. It is intended to provide wide-area air, maritime and ground surveillance, command support and situational awareness. The system combines persistent sensing with the ability to share information across defense networks.
Airborne early-warning radar
Erieye
Erieye is Saab’s airborne early-warning radar family. It provides long-range detection and tracking of airborne and maritime objects and can be integrated into different aircraft platforms. Erieye systems support airspace surveillance, command and control, and the coordination of wider defense operations.
Ground and naval radar
Giraffe radar
Giraffe is a family of mobile and naval radar systems used for surveillance, air-defense support and detection of airborne and surface threats. The systems are designed for rapid deployment and integration with command-and-control networks, with variants adapted to different ranges and operational environments.
Infantry weapon system
Carl-Gustaf
Carl-Gustaf is a reusable, shoulder-fired weapon system intended for infantry and other ground forces. Its ammunition range supports multiple mission types, including anti-armor, anti-structure and battlefield support roles. Saab continues to develop ammunition, sighting and support solutions for the system.
Anti-armor weapon
AT4
AT4 is a lightweight, man-portable weapon family designed primarily for anti-armor and anti-structure missions. Different variants and ammunition types are intended to address changing battlefield requirements, including confined-space and urban operations.
Naval defense
Submarines and underwater systems
Through Saab Kockums, Saab develops and supports submarines, naval platforms, underwater vehicles and related combat and sensor systems. The business builds on Swedish naval-engineering experience and includes capabilities in stealth, signature management, underwater endurance and integrated naval operations.
Civil turboprop aircraft
Saab 340 and Saab 2000
The Saab 340 and Saab 2000 were civilian turboprop airliners developed and manufactured by Saab. Although production of these aircraft ended, the platforms remain part of Saab’s aerospace history and have also served as bases for special-mission and airborne-surveillance configurations.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquire Blue Bear Research SystemsM&ABackground
Saab identified autonomous systems and collaborative unmanned operations as strategically relevant areas for future defense capability.
Action taken
Saab acquired the Bedford-based developer of artificial-intelligence-enabled autonomous swarm systems.
Aftermath
The acquisition added autonomy and swarm expertise to Saab’s broader portfolio of unmanned and networked defense technologies.
2023
Acquire CrowdAIM&ABackground
Saab sought to expand its software, artificial-intelligence and machine-learning capabilities for defense and security applications.
Action taken
Saab acquired the San Francisco-based AI and machine-learning development company CrowdAI.
Aftermath
The deal strengthened Saab’s access to AI-enabled analysis and software development capabilities.
2010
Reorganize the operating modelStrategyBackground
Saab sought a structure that was more focused on customers and markets than its previous fifteen-business-unit arrangement.
Action taken
The company reorganized into five business areas covering aeronautics, dynamics, electronic defense, security and defense solutions, and support and services.
Aftermath
The structure provided a framework for managing Saab’s aircraft, weapons, sensors, security and lifecycle-support activities as an integrated portfolio.
1995
Separate Saab and ScaniaStrategyBackground
The industrial rationale for the Saab-Scania combination had weakened after the automotive business was partly transferred to General Motors and the two companies had developed distinct strategic profiles.
Action taken
Investor AB demerged Saab-Scania into independent Saab AB and Scania companies.
Aftermath
Saab continued as an independent aerospace and defense company, while Scania pursued its own commercial-vehicle strategy.
Recent events
- 2025
Saab announces divestment of TransponderTech[3]
M&A
Saab announced an agreement to divest TransponderTech to Teledyne Technologies. The transaction was presented as a portfolio decision supporting Saab’s focus on expanding its military businesses, while giving the maritime-navigation technology company another platform for growth.
- 2023
Saab announces acquisition of Blue Bear Research Systems[2]
M&A · Other
Saab announced the acquisition of the Bedford-based developer of artificial-intelligence-enabled autonomous swarm systems, strengthening its autonomy and unmanned-systems capabilities.
- 2023
Saab announces acquisition of CrowdAI[2]
M&A · Other
Saab announced the acquisition of the San Francisco-based artificial-intelligence and machine-learning company CrowdAI to expand software and data capabilities for defense and security applications.
- 2023
Saab announces acquisition of BlueBear Research Systems[4]
M&A
Saab announced the acquisition of UK-based BlueBear Research Systems, a company specializing in artificial-intelligence-enabled autonomous swarm systems.
- 2019
Saab outlines new United States aircraft assembly facility[2]
Other
Saab announced plans for a U.S. manufacturing operation at Discovery Park District Aerospace near Purdue University, including final assembly work connected with the Boeing-Saab advanced jet trainer.
- 2019
Saab selects Purdue location for US aircraft manufacturing operation[4]
Other
Saab announced plans for a US manufacturing facility at Discovery Park District Aerospace near Purdue University. The site was intended to support final assembly of the Boeing-Saab advanced trainer developed for the United States Air Force.
- 2011
BAE Systems exits its Saab shareholding[1]
M&A · Other
BAE Systems sold its remaining stake in Saab, ending its sixteen-year involvement as a significant shareholder.
- 2010
Saab restructures into five business areas[1]
Other
The company reorganized its former business-unit structure into five business areas intended to improve customer orientation and market focus.
- 2010
Saab restructures operations into five business areas[4]
Other
Saab reorganized its former business-unit structure into five broad business areas to make the company more market- and customer-oriented.
Saab pursues additional Gripen international campaigns[5]
Campaign · Other
Saab has continued promoting Gripen to prospective customers, including Canada and Peru, while discussing industrial participation and potential local production arrangements. These campaigns take place amid increased international defence demand and competition from other fighter-aircraft suppliers.
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