Sovereign Industry

Our commitment to Australian Industry Capability

Saab is committed to assisting Australia in achieving its goals under the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) programme. We have been a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force for over 35 years, and we have built a strong sovereign defence capability through a track-record of innovation and technology transfer.

Saab Australia is an Australian company. Our people work on the ground in almost every state and territory and are passionate about developing Australian industry and growing the country’s sovereign capability. We have a clear policy of using local, indigenous and veteran-owned suppliers and subcontractors. We believe in sharing our technology with our Australian suppliers and partners for mutual benefit – providing smarter solutions for a stronger Australia.

“Saab Australia was established as part of a commitment by Saab to transfer technology. It has since grown to become a key part of Australia’s sovereign capability across the defence and security domains. We believe Australian Industry Capability is not just about awarding contracts to Australian companies, but the development of an enduring Australian sovereign industrial base. Australian companies require growth and development as well as funded contracts to remain competitive and to develop their skillsets.”

Andy Keough, Managing Director Saab Australia

Support from local suppliers

Saab Australia has always been committed to developing strong relationships and partnerships with Australian industry, ensuring a stable suppy chain. We currently have over 700 Australian companies in our supply chain, and we are constantly looking for new opportunities to connect with local businesses that have products and capabilities to support our programmes and bids in the defence and security domains.

Our Australian Industry Content strategy is to enhance the resilience, skills and knowledge within our teams through experience and capabilities developed globally. In doing so, we continue to support Australia’s growing sovereign capability.

Approved suppliers

700+

Australian suppliers

650+

Australian SME suppliers

480+

Building self-reliance and growing industry

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Taking Australia to the world

Saab Australia is part of the global Saab Group, which produces over 500 products and operates in more than 100 countries across the globe. We bring together ideas, create unrivalled partnerships and have a firm belief in investing in local businesses and industries.

We know that sharing our technology, ideas and thinking results in mutual benefit, better outcomes and achieving our common goals. In addition to Australia, we have long-term partnerships in a range of countries, including Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Our AIC strategy outlines our plans and opportunities for Australian industry to become involved in our major defence capability projects and sustainment activities.

As a business, we are committed to maximising Australian Industry Capability and Global Supply Chain opportunities for Australian Industry. Working together, we can maximise the exciting opportunities for further collaboration between the Commonwealth, defence primes and local industry and we can ensure the delivery of highly complex, innovative and advanced capability in Australia, to our defence force for the protection of our nation and its future.

Partnerships

Innovation is critical for Saab’s future. We believe that it’s something that can be learned, managed and measured to help us create and sustain an innovative company culture.

Research collaboration between universities and high-tech companies such as ours benefits not only the key stakeholders, but wider society as well.

Saab Australia works closely with universities across Australia on joint research projects.

The challenges facing the defence industry often lead to new, intriguing research areas, with the findings producing new business opportunities.

We are a member of a number of industry partnerships within the defence and security domains to further strengthen our industry relationships.

Indigenous and veteran procurement

Saab Australia is committed to socially responsible and sustainable procurement practices

These are intended to assist our customers, the Australian government and the community, to drive greater value into operational expenditure and investment. Our procurement policies focus on supporting Indigenous enterprises in order to stimulate opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

As a defence company, Saab has a large number of staff who are veterans and we are committed to supporting veteran-owned companies and charity organisations.

We use Supply Nation to assist in actively engaging and trading with Indigenous enterprises in our supply chain.

Visit our Supplier Portal to learn how to join our supplier chain.

Connect with the Saab team

Reach out to our team with any questions about Saab's Australian Industry Capability or how to join our supply chain

David Ledger

Head of Industry Engagement and Strategic Events

David.Ledger@au.saabgroup.com

Dennis Medlow

Innovation, R&D and University Engagement Manager

Dennis.Medlow@au.saabgroup.com

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