Saab and MBDA strengthen defense cooperation in new strategic partnership.

Sweden and France have recently entered into a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering their defense cooperation. This partnership, signed on January 30th during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden, places a strong emphasis on anti-tank and air defense capabilities as key areas for collaboration.
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One of the initial focuses of cooperation between Saab and MBDA in the anti-tank field will be the Akeron MP, a portable anti-tank missile developed by MBDA (Picture source: French MoD)

A significant development in this partnership came on January 31st when Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab, and Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, expressed their commitment to support this collaborative effort, particularly in the fields of anti-tank and air defense. These two capabilities are crucial for the armed forces of both countries, especially in the context of high-intensity conflicts. The CEOs formalized their commitment by signing Letters of Intent during a Business Forum attended by top French and Swedish officials.

Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, emphasized the significance of this deepening cooperation, stating: "The closeness between Saab and MBDA is reflected in our cooperation over many years, and the deepening and broadening of that through these Letters of Intent is most welcome. Doing this here in Stockholm during the state visit by President Macron to Sweden is symbolic of how two European governments working together can facilitate industry in strengthening our collective security."

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, echoed this sentiment, saying, "This is an exciting new step in our long-standing partnership with Saab. We are both world leaders in the anti-tank and air defense domains, and we will be combining our expertise to deliver the best capabilities for the armed forces on the battlefield. The signature of these Letters of Intent is further proof that cooperation lies at the very heart of MBDA’s values."

One of the initial focuses of cooperation in the anti-tank field will be the Akeron MP. A contract has already been awarded to Saab and MBDA by the DGA, the French contracting entity, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). This contract will facilitate the collaboration between Saab and MBDA in the anti-tank domain, supporting the Swedish and French armed forces in adopting the Akeron MP weapon system in the short term. Additionally, it will pave the way for the development of new functionalities, including beyond line-of-sight firing capabilities, and prepare the missile to address future battlefield targets. This roadmap aims to maintain Akeron MP's position as the benchmark weapon in its field, ensuring its effectiveness in high-intensity conflicts.

Saab and MBDA have a history of successful collaboration, as evident in their joint efforts on projects like the Meteor air-to-air missile program, the Taurus cruise missile, and participation in the European MARSEUS consortium, which aims to provide a sovereign European beyond line-of-sight missile firing capability.

A significant development in this partnership came on January 31st when Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab, and Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, expressed their commitment to support this collaborative effort, particularly in the fields of anti-tank and air defense (Picture source: Saab)

Defense News February 2024