Swedish defense company Saab plans to start production in Ukraine to support the strengthening of its defense capabilities. About this in interview CEO of the concern Mikael Johansson told Reuters.
Johansson emphasized that Saab aims to promote the development of the defense sector of Ukraine by creating partnerships with Ukrainian companies both inside the country and abroad.
“We have to help Ukraine build up its sovereign capacities and capabilities, so we need a partnership with industry in Ukraine, as well as with Ukrainian industry that has gone beyond the borders of Ukraine”, Johansson said.
Currently, the company is conducting negotiations with two or three Ukrainian enterprises regarding the organization of joint production, but final agreements have not yet been reached.
The CEO of Saab also expressed interest in cooperation with Ukrainian drone manufacturers and is considering opportunities for Ukraine to supply munitions components and contribute to the development of sensor technologies.
Johansson noted that the world defense industry is moving from providing aid in the form of donations to direct cooperation with Ukrainian companies, which will allow strengthening the country’s defense capabilities in the long term.
The company Saab, which is one of the main competitors of such global giants as Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems, is experiencing a rapid increase in demand for its services against the background of global tensions, the war in Ukraine and the recent accession of Sweden to NATO, according to the Reuters agency.
