2005

Sales income increased by 8% to MSEK 19,300 ($2.4bn/€2.0bn). Excluding acquisitions and disposals, growth totaled around 6%.

More than half of sales (56%) were to customers outside Sweden. Foreign markets’ proportion of order bookings during the year and of the total order backlog at the end of the year were even greater, at 63% and 75% respectively.

An important development during the year – and a further indication that Saab is becoming an increasingly international company – was that Saab became the majority owner of South African defence and technology group Grintek with approximately 1,400 employees. In Finland Saab increased its presence by setting up a co-owned company with TietoEnator.

Major defence orders in 2005 included a contract from Australia to upgrade the ANZAC frigates, and orders from Germany for subsystems on the IRIS-T IR air-to-air missile, radar warning systems for Tornado aircraft, and the heavy RBS15 antiship missile system. The US ordered further Ultra Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems (ULCANS).

Important orders for the Swedish Armed Forces were the NLAW antitank system and a battle management system for military units up to battalion level.

In the Swedish market for civil security work began on the Rakel project, a new shared radio communication system for Sweden’s safety and security authorities.

In aviation the Gripen system came into operational service in the Czech Republic, and the first South African Gripen made its maiden flight. A decision was also made during the year on Sweden’s involvement in the Neuron program, which means Saab will be working with the European aviation industry to develop an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle. The project will help secure aeronautical expertise, as well as the future development of the Gripen.

In commercial aviation Saab received an order to develop and produce cargo doors and avionics for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Japan Coast Guard ordered modified Saab 340 aircraft for airborne civil maritime security.

Also in 2005, Pakistan signed a conditional agreement for an airborne surveillance system that has excellent future international potential.