Global defense and security company, Saab AB, will open new UK headquarters and draw on British engineering expertise in a new Saab Design Centre in London. With 200 employees already based throughout the UK, Saab is preparing to expand its reach into the British defense industry by opening a central London office to co-ordinate all in-country operations.

Saab President and CEO Håkan Buskhe, stated, “Saab has a long and successful relationship with the UK, and I believe our expansion will create the conditions for a wider, strategic partnership that will benefit both nations. Today cooperation is vital in the global defense sector and the UK’s requirements and expertise firmly complements our own ambitions and vision.”

The opening of the new UK headquarters will be followed by the establishment of an engineering design centre. The facility will capitalize on the UK’s maritime jet engineering expertise. It is scheduled to open in the late Summer and will initially be staffed by approximately 10 British employees.

Additionally, Saab is also to centralize its underwater vehicle development and production in the UK. The company is in the process of merging its military underwater vehicles operations in Sweden with Saab Seaeye, a UK subsidiary based in Fareham, Hampshire. The move to Fareham integrates all operations to benefit the company’s significant global customer base in the civilian and defense markets.