Industrial cooperation in the defence industry strengthens the local economy
The changed geopolitical situation makes it more important than ever that Europe and the EU strengthen their defence capabilities and defence industry. This means, among other things, that a larger share of purchases should be made in Europe to establish independent and secure supply lines. Saab Technologies Norway collaborates closely with local industry, research environments and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Administration to help ensure total defence capability in a changing world.
As of today, we have more than 40 collaborative projects with Norwegian industry for significant deliveries to the Norwegian Armed Forces,’ says Dag Wikøren, marketing and sales manager for Saab's Norwegian operations. As a financially independent Norwegian company in the Saab Group, Saab Technologies Norway has its headquarters in Halden, an Oslo office and operations in Rena, Setermoen and Skjold - in addition to operating service and maintenance centres in Stavanger and Halden. The company has an annual turnover of NOK 75 million, with an export share of 30-40 per cent, and has extensive cooperation with Norwegian companies.
Within the EDF (European Defence Fund) programme, we have a broad collaboration that includes Kongsberg, Squarehead, SSE and Rheinmetall Norway. Among research institutions and academia, we collaborate with FFI and Sintef. There are many opportunities, and we are always on the lookout for partners with exciting products or development opportunities.
The Norwegian Defence Procurement Code contributes to local value creation by requiring Norwegian purchases for contracts worth more than NOK 50 million. ‘This means that investment in defence also benefits Norwegian business and industry, both in the form of orders and competence-building cooperation,’ says Wikøren. ‘Expenditure on the defence industry is intended to secure investments in the local economy and sometimes creates new jobs. More and more countries are realising the need for an independent defence industry and are encouraging local businesses and industry to get involved in tenders in the form of collaboration. For defence companies, this in turn means that partnerships become indispensable.
‘We work within the eight areas of expertise set out in the Norwegian Defence Industrial Initiative,’ says Wikøren. ‘Saab is active in all domains and designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. ‘We are currently actively looking for development partners in connection with the new fleet plan in the Norwegian Armed Forces ‘long-term plan,’ Wikøren continues. ‘We know that Norway will be making major purchases, and in this context, we want to work with the Norwegian maritime industry to implement this in a good way. We're looking for innovative, affordable and competent partners who know the military market,’ he says. ’Quality is paramount - military deliveries must last for at least 20 years, so this also applies to all deliveries to us at Saab.
‘Every partnership is different and pursues different goals,’ says Wikøren, ‘which is why we are always on the lookout in all markets to recognise potential at an early stage and build long-term partnerships that can be trusted. Saab also places great emphasis on being a transparent partner on an equal footing. An open exchange of expertise and technology is at the centre of the collaboration so that true innovation can occur.
Although partnerships are increasingly becoming a requirement as part of contract awards, Saab is always looking for added value that goes beyond this.” Transparency is particularly important to us. We look for partners who value a technology collaboration and expertise that creates new innovations and allows both parties to grow,’ says Fecko.
For us, a co-operation is successful if it goes beyond financial success. It has to be a win-win situation for everyone involved.
‘If anyone wants to participate in cooperation with us at Saab, it's easy to get in touch with us,’ emphasises Dag Wikøren. ‘Through the Norwegian department, we channel the enquiry to the part of the Saab Group that can help you further assess the product or service on offer,’ he says.
Saab in Norway
We work with our Norwegian partners to provide innovative and customized multi-domain technologies and together protect society from the threats of a constantly changing world.
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