Saab to have research center in Brazil
Valor Econômico 09/24/10
The Swedish company Saab, which earned US$ 3.6 billion in 2009, will erect a high technology research and development center in Brazil that will work on projects for the world market, in the segments of civilian and military security, sensors, radars, aeronautics, sustainable development and environmental technology. According to Hakan Buskhe, who has just taken the office of President and Chief Executive Officer of Saab, the center will be the entrance door to expand the businesses in Brazil, a market the Swedish company considers strategic and promising, especially in the sectors of aeronautics and defense. The location of the center has not been defined yet, but it will probably be located in the State of São Paulo, due to the partnerships it has already been developing with several Brazilian companies of the aerospace sector.The program of selection of new Brazilian combat aircraft, the F-X2, according to the President of Saab, still continues being the number one priority of the company in Brazil, where he has plans to invest in the manufacturing of aerostructures in partnership with national industries, in case the Gripen fighter, which is being offered the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), is chosen in the selection process. Buskhe was yesterday in São José dos Campos, as a guest of the management of Embraer to see the facilities of the company he intends to increase the partnership with in the area of development of fifth generation fighters. "We hope we win the competitive bidding because we believe we have the best offer of partnership with the Brazilian industry and technology transfer, but there are other opportunities besides the fighters we are also very interested in exploring in Brazil", he said. According to the Executive, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics represent great business opportunities for Saab in the segment of radars and sensors for security.
The R&D Center Saab wants to install in Brazil, according to Buskhe, will be the first of the company in South America. "Besides Sweden, we also have centers of excellence of that level in South Africa, Australia, Nordic countries and England". Saab invests 20% of its earnings in R&D. In Brazil, its main partnership is with Akaer, of São José dos Campos, contracted by Saab to carry out the project and production of the center fuselage, rear fuselage and wings of the Swedish fighter Gripen NG, regardless of the outcome of the competitive bidding of the fighters F-X2. Akaer and Inbra Aerospace, according to Silva, negotiate the installation of an aerostructures plant in São Bernardo do Campo, with an estimate investment of US$ 150 million. Inbra was also contracted by Saab in the program of development of the Gripen, for the manufacture of the wings and the cover of the landing gear using composite materials.
"The new plant is being driven not only by the Gripen NG project, but also by other programs of development such as the Embraer KC-390 and the project of EC-725 helicopters, which will be delivered to the Brazilian Armed Forces by the Helibras/Eurocopter group, besides other opportunities that are arising in the international market of aerostructures", said Silva.