“MBDA and Saab Unite for Enhanced Collaboration”

France and Sweden have indicated their intention to enhance their defense collaboration under a new strategic alliance signed on 30 January during French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Sweden. Anti-tank and aerial defense have been pinpointed as key sectors for partnership.

In this framework, a significant advancement has been made in the rapport between the two nations. On 31 January, Eric Béranger and Micael Johansson, the chief executives of MBDA and Saab, conveyed their eagerness to back this initiative in the spheres of anti-tank and aerial defense, two capabilities recognized as especially vital for the military forces of both nations, particularly in the context of high-intensity warfare. They signed Letters of Intent to amplify the collaboration between their enterprises in these two areas, at the Business Forum held in the presence of top French and Swedish officials.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, stated:

“This marks an exhilarating new chapter in our enduring alliance with Saab. We are both global frontrunners in the anti-tank and aerial defense sectors, and we will be merging our skills to provide optimal capabilities for the armed forces on the battlefield. The signing of these Letters of Intent is further evidence that collaboration is central to MBDA’s principles.”

Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, remarked:

“The intimacy between Saab and MBDA is demonstrated through our collaboration over many years, and the enhancement and expansion of that through these Letters of Intent is most appreciated. Conducting this in Stockholm during President Macron’s state visit to Sweden symbolizes how two European governments cooperating can empower the industry in fortifying our collective security.”

Collaboration in the anti-tank domain has led to an initial emphasis on the AKERON MP (previously referred to as MMP – Missile Moyenne Portée). An initial agreement has been granted to Saab and MBDA by the DGA, the French procurement authority, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV – Försvarets Materielverk). This will facilitate the merging of MBDA and Saab’s know-how in the anti-tank sector, to assist the French and Swedish armed forces’ selection of the AKERON MP weapon system in the near future. Moreover, this will allow the execution of a joint capability roadmap to innovate new features, particularly concerning beyond line-of-sight firing, and to prepare the missile to confront the forthcoming generation of targets that will appear on the battlefield. This roadmap will sustain AKERON MP’s status as the benchmark weapon in its domain, and an essential instrument in high-intensity conflicts.

MBDA and Saab have a long-standing partnership, as demonstrated by their collaboration on the Meteor air-to-air missile initiative and the TAURUS cruise missile, alongside their engagement in the European MarsEUs consortium that aims to provide a sovereign European beyond line-of-sight missile launching capability.