Saab, MBDA Strengthen Defense Cooperation in Anti-Tank, Air Defense

Sweden and France have solidified their defense partnership through a strategic agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in the critical areas of anti-tank and air defense.

The agreement, signed on January 30 during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden, marks a milestone in the relationship between the two nations.

CEOs of defense companies Saab and MBDA, Micael Johansson and Eric Béranger, respectively, expressed their commitment to supporting this collaborative effort. The CEOs signed Letters of Intent on January 31 to strengthen cooperation between their companies in anti-tank and air defense, acknowledging the strategic importance of these capabilities in the context of high-intensity conflicts.

The initial focus of the collaboration in the anti-tank field will be on the AKERON MP. The DGA, the French contracting entity, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have awarded the first contract to Saab and MBDA. This collaboration will leverage the expertise of both companies to support the adoption of the AKERON MP weapon system by the Swedish and French armed forces in the short term.

The partnership aims to develop new functionalities associated with beyond line-of-sight firing, preparing the missile to address future-generation targets on the battlefield. The joint capability roadmap seeks to maintain AKERON MP's position as the benchmark weapon in its field and an indispensable tool in high-intensity conflicts.

Saab and MBDA's collaboration extends beyond this recent initiative, with a history of successful joint ventures such as the Meteor air-to-air missile program, the TAURUS cruise missile, and participation in the European MARSEUS consortium, which aims to provide a sovereign European beyond line-of-sight missile firing capability. The strengthened cooperation reflects a commitment to bolstering collective security and fostering innovation in the defense sector.