Saab Part of European Study for Future Combat Air Systems.

Business Editors

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001

Saab welcomes the news that the Ministers of Defence of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and UK have declared their intent to carry out a joint study aimed at providing an initial assessment of their respective future combat air system capability requirements in a 2020 timeframe.

Saab, together with the other major European Aerospace Companies (Alenia Aerospace, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS and Dassault Aviation) all recognise the long term capability needs, identified by the Governments, which will require systems and technologies to be developed and demonstrated jointly to maximise the effect of R&T across Europe. As a result, they have expressed an intention to work together with the common aim of performing:

-- work in some high priority areas already identified, such as stealthy
platforms, C4ISR integrated systems networking via data link, propulsion
systems, and the command and control of uninhabited air vehicles, all of which
are expected to be initiated straight away.

-- the risk-reduction technology programme set up under the name of European
Technology Acquisition Programme (ETAP) which will result from the
Intergovernmental study and which will include Technology Demonstration
Projects (TDPs), concept demonstrations and Technology Demonstration Vehicles
(TDVs) within the key technology areas for combat air systems to be either
adapted to existing systems or to be included in the future joint European
system for deployment in the 2020 timeframe.

-- also any follow-on Systems Development programmes (manned and / or unmanned
systems) as requested to fulfill the 6-Nation military requirements as they
emerge.

Saab wishes to confirm its full support for the European Governments initiative. Saab also confirms its commitment to work with the European Governments, and Major European Aerospace Companies to develop the necessary technologies and competences. This will meet the military demands of a European combat air system capability for the 2020 timeframe whilst sustaining an efficient and globally competitive European Aerospace and Defence Systems Industry.

Saab has an interest in combining the technologies from ETAP with the Saab NetDefence concept to provide future air combat systems in a Network Centric Warfare context. In addition to Saab, Volvo Aero Corporation and Ericsson will participate in ETAP together with key research organisations in Sweden.

Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capability in systems integration.