It is reported that Saab has become a participant in the Build in Ukraine initiative, a program aimed at attracting foreign defense companies to create production facilities directly in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense said that the following companies are already operating or setting up production facilities in Ukraine:
- British BAE Systems (produces and services L119 howitzers);
- German Rheinmetall (creates repair and production bases for servicing armored vehicles);
- Swedish SAAB (arrangements for joint production of air defense systems);
- American Northrop Grumman (arrangements for joint production of ammunition).
According to the ministry, more than 25 foreign defense companies are already at various stages of localization in Ukraine.
On October 22, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, during a visit to Sweden, held a meeting with the owner of the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB, Marcus Wallenberg, and its CEO, Mikael Johansson, the OP press center reported.
Saab AB, in particular, produces the Gripen fighter jets. Ukraine can receive up to 150 of these aircraft.
Ukrainian soldiers are already using anti-tank weapons, air defense systems and radars produced by Saab AB, the OP emphasized.
As Militarnyi writes, back in September 2024, Johansson said that SAAB wanted to establish production in Ukraine.
Context
The aggressor country of the Russian Federation practically every night fires at Ukraine with missiles, drones, and also adjustable aerial bombs. In recent months, Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system facilities, as well as its gas infrastructure, have become more frequent.
Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its air defense, the Ministry of Defense said on October 21.
