Defence and security company Saab has opened a new development center, the Saab Technology Centre, in Tampere, Finland, creating up to 100 jobs for engineers.
The company is to spend up to €70m (US$87m) during the next five years building up the center’s capabilities. Saab has already hired 12 engineers and plans to recruit around 100 more for the center.
The Saab Technology Centre (STC) will initially focus on electronic warfare (EW). Its EW unit is contributing to deliveries for Saab’s current contracts for fighter aircraft, including the Gripen E/F, the EW system for Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, and the Electronic Support Measures/Electronic Intelligence systems used for land applications.
The company has so far invested in an RF laboratory at the center. In the future the STC will include units concentrating on developing systems in other domains as well, the company said.
Håkan Buskhe, Saab’s president and CEO, said, “Finland is a high-tech country and an important partner for Saab. The long-term goal is that the STC in Tampere will be an integral part of Saab’s product development and production.
Anders Gardberg, country manager, market area Nordic & Baltic, Saab, said, “In February 2017, we established a comprehensive and long-term research partnership with Aalto University. As a natural continuation, we are now expanding the envelope from research to development of cutting-edge technology. In addition to job creation, this will also support export opportunities as part of Saab’s global business network.”
The Saab Technology Centre concept is able to expand into other fields of activity and locations. Saab and its subsidiary Combitech Oy currently employ close to 100 employees in Finland, with offices in Helsinki, Espoo, Jyväskylä, Tampere and Säkylä.
January 22, 2018
