DefExpo 2014 offers SAAB the opportunity to reinforce its partnership with India 1001146.

Interview Lars Olof Lindgren

Lars-Olof Lindgren, former ambassador of Sweden to India will head Market Area India from December 1, 2012. Lars-Olof Lindgren’s experience and relationships with the Indian and Swedish governments and industries will further reinforce Saab’s long-term commitment to the Indian market. He succeeds Jan Widerstrom.

What brings you to Defexpo 2014? Why is Defexpo 2014 important for you?

Defexpo 2014 is a very important date in Saab’s calendar both because of the market potential and our collaboration in partnerships and investments for the global markets. We have made a long term commitment to India’s national security goals by being a partner in developing an indigenous, global scale, self-sustaining industry. We fully support India’s ambitions and we are willing to partner and share our own experience to expedite the leap frog we expect to see in India in this area.

Defexpo 2014 will be an opportunity to meet Indian stakeholders from government, defence forces, homeland security, research, technology and industry. Consequently, this exhibition is a great opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities, success of current Saab programs, partnerships and achievements and set the stage for the future.

What is the message you wish to communicate through your participation at Defexpo 2014?

The main theme for Saab for this Defexpo is Teaming up with India. Saab believes in partnerships – by combining our thinking edge with Indian Industry, we enrich relationships and encourage development of smarter products. Through industrial cooperation, we collaborate with Indian companies to achieve the long-term goal of creating an indigenous, self-sufficient defence industry on the global scale. This, combined with our willingness to transfer cutting-edge technology, has resulted in rewarding partnerships. There are a number of partnerships between Saab and Indian companies, including those with Tech Mahindra, Pipavav, HAL, QuEST, among others. DefExpo 2014 offers the opportunity to reinforce our determination to continue to form partnerships with India.

What opportunities do you see for Saab in India, both in the short term and the medium term, across services?

We have participated in a number of programs with various arms of the defence forces and are quite pleased with the progress of different programs.

Saab has a wide portfolio of products and we are in dialogue with the armed forces and homeland security for a whole range of sophisticated equipment, including camouflage, battle management systems, air defence systems, ground combat systems, advanced surveillance and foliage penetrating radars, naval and coast guard systems, electronic warfare systems, communication equipment and avionics among others.

Saab is currently pursuing many individual opportunities in the requirements of the Indian defence forces. All of Saab’s Business Areas are active in India offering high-tech solutions and products such as the C4I, EW (Self Protection Systems), Signature Management, Missile & Weapon Systems, Aeronautical Platforms, Sensors (Radars), Maritime Security and Civil Security, LPI Radars and Sea Giraffe.

Can you elaborate on the recent successes that Saab has had with the Indian armed forces, across domains?

Saab has received two orders from Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), India, for serial production of an integrated electronic warfare self-protection system for installation on the Indian Army’s and Air Force’s Advanced Light Helicopter.

These orders follow initial serial production orders received in 2008 and further establish Saab as a local partner to the Indian Industry and provider of high tech products and systems to the Indian Armed Forces.

With these orders we continue to build on our very successful partnership with HAL. The fact that HAL and the Armed Forces have continued to show faith in the IDAS system is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the solution

Many multinational companies operating in India are forging partnerships or joint ventures with Indian companies. Does this appeal to Saab?

Given the right market situation, prospect or realization of a mature order, Saab will certainly consider investing in joint ventures in India. Saab has invested in Indian companies, particularly Pipavav and Quest. These are irrespective of the equity levels allowed currently.