Saab

Say “Linköping” and the word Aviation comes to mind. And when you say “Aviation”, and the name Saab pops up. Saab, in many cases a world leader in aviation and defence matters, has been a driving force in Swedish technology development since its beginnings in 1939. The company employs over 13.000 people in Sweden alone, 4,700 of those in Linköping.

If it is true that the aerial exhibition by Baron Cederström at Malmen in 1911 was the start of aviation history in Linköping, it is equally true that the establishment of Saab more than 70 years ago was the starting point of the development of a city with world class high-tech competence.

Keeping it simple, Saab´s need for advanced calculations has contributed to Linköping’s prominent position in the field of IT, which in turn has been very important for the establishment of Linköping University and Mjärdevi Science Park.

For many years the Swedish Armed Forces were the dominant client, but today Saab has clients around the globe, delivering products, solutions and services in areas ranging from military defence to civilian security.

Gripen – the single largest industrial project in Sweden is a good example of how the cooperation of municipality, business and research can create international competitiveness in an area which is dominated by really big countries.

Saab also participates in large European research enterprises, one being Neuron with the aim of producing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Another is Clean Sky, an international project aimed at making civil aviation “greener”. Finally, there is SESAR, where models are devised that show how European airspace can be used more efficiently whilst at the same time decreasing the environmental impact of air traffic.

There is no doubt that Saab is a true international company. But above all, Saab is, and will continue to be, a driving force in Swedish technology development.