Saab UK expands growth with Abbey Group partnership

Saab’s Barracuda MCS is a camouflage solution developed to increase the survivability and force protection of armed forces around the world. This is done by minimising the signature to hostile sensors of the camouflaged vehicles including tanks, armoured personnel carriers and trucks. Barracuda MCS units produced with Abbey Group, will be used on the British Army’s Ajax armoured fighting vehicles. 

The partnership aims to combine Saab UK's cutting-edge technology with Abbey Group's expertise in engineering. This collaboration marks a significant UK milestone for both companies and is set to contribute to the growth of British manufacturing, and global production of Barracuda systems.  

Saab UK hosted Maria Eagle, Labour's Shadow Defence Procurement Minister, on 16th February. Ms Eagle said:

“The partnership between Saab UK and Abbey Group is a testament to the strength of British manufacturing. This collaboration brings together the best of Swedish and British capabilities, and supports economic growth. I applaud these companies for their vision and commitment to technological progress in the UK.”

Photo Credit: Household Cavalry Regiment, British Army

Abbey Group will be responsible for sewing the MCS units together using camouflage material produced in Sweden.

Alex Alderson, Director of Land Systems for Saab UK said:

“We’re delighted to have Abbey Group as an important part of our UK team. They will have a key role in manufacturing crucial parts of the Barracuda products sold to the UK market, including MCS for Ajax vehicles. It is important to have a UK-based production partner both for us and our MOD customers.”

In its commitment to sharing knowledge and technology with its partners, Saab UK has invited staff from Abbey Group to travel to Barracuda’s production facility in Sweden, for training.

Adam Kelly, Managing Director for Abbey Group said:

“Our collaboration with Saab UK represents a significant opportunity for our growth, for Liverpool, and broadening our offer to customers.”

Abbey Group’s Barracuda production facility is housed in a part of former ROF Kirkby - Royal Ordnance Filling Factory No.7, a site where some of the Canary Girls, British women employed in munitions production in WW2, were once stationed.

The partnership with Abbey Group follows Saab’s similar production deal with Tulmar in 2022 to produce MCS units near Ontario, Canada. 

Saab UK Notes to Editors

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 22,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.
Saab UK Ltd is a legal entity of Saab AB encompassing its business operations in the United Kingdom.
Saab has been active as a leading defence company in the UK since 1966 with our Ltd company incorporated in 1983. From air to land and sea, Saab provides civil, defence and security technologies that keep Britain safe.
Our activities include: Training and simulation based in Wiltshire and present across the country; Seaeye and sensor products in Fareham; Public Safety Solutions in Hull; a Technology Centre in Farnborough and Headquarters in London.
Saab’s UK supply chain is made up of nearly 1,000 of the best companies in the industry, across the length and breadth of the country – from prime contractors to SMEs. Through partnerships and direct employment, we support thousands of jobs and contribute to society and the economy.
Abbey Group

Abbey Group is an engineering company based in the northwest of England that has been trading since 2008. It offers a broad range of engineering capabilities from traditional metal fabrication to precision engineering. Some of the key products it manufactures include conveyors, walkways and trolleys. The company is owner-directed and owner-managed and employs more than 100 people.