20 year milestone in Australian defence

In 2008 Saab Systems celebrates 20 years in Australia—two decades of new capability and in-service support for the Australian Defence Force. Managing Director, Merv Davis reminisces about Saab’s achievements thus far … “it is timely to remember the contribution we have made and especially the competencies we have developed. We need to nurture these competencies to reliably support Australian security into the future” …

Saab has a legacy that extends much further than 20 years. It can trace its heritage back to Bofors founded in Sweden in 1646. Australia bought ships with Bofors guns early last century and has used Bofors’ Carl Gustaf (hand carried infantry weapon) since the Vietnam War. Bofors’ RBS 70 air defence missile launch system entered ADF service in the early nineties and is the mainstay of Army’s air defence regiment. DIAB-Barracuda (now Saab Barracuda) was established in Sydney in 1983 making camouflage for the ADF.

Saab Systems Pty Ltd as it is known today, was born in 1988 when Phillips Electronik (an offshoot of the Dutch ‘Phillips’ company) established a company to tender for the command and control system for Australia’s Anzac class frigates—they subsequently won the contract in 1990.

We’ve had a few name changes, eg. Bofors Pacific, NobelTech and CelsiusTech; then in July 2000, as part of a government-initiated rationalisation program, Swedish defence industry members Saab and Celsius merged keeping the Saab name. Our Adelaide-based company changed its operating name from CelsiusTech Australia to Saab Systems.

We’ve been very successful in contributing to the building and shaping of Australia’s defence industry. We were one of the first to bring advanced systems technology to Australia. The Anzac ships’ 9LV command and control system (9 represents Scandinavia, LV Air Defence in Swedish), initially developed for the Swedish coastal corvette, Gothenburg, is a prime example.
Our employees, the ADF and our industry partners can be proud of our collective achievements with Anzac. When HMAS ANZAC was commissioned in 1996, it was probably the first modern warship in the world to be delivered fully operational on time and on budget.

The 9LV’s exceptional design lends itself to enhanced future capabilities with the same high reliability and functionality. It is arguably the most successful and reliable system in the RAN’s service today.

With the Anzac success, we have diversified into numerous Army battlefield systems and we are also developing civil security systems. Last year our 9LV combat management system was chosen for the new Landing Helicopter Dock amphibious ships which will make it the only combat management system on multiple classes of Australian ships. The Australian Government can be confident in our ability to deliver and remain responsive to ADF requirements.
We have always understood that while providing new equipment is important; supporting in-service capabilities is just as important. Our success is attributed to our highly skilled and capable work force who have proven they can be depended upon to deliver.

Saab Systems looks forward to developing solutions to secure Australia in military and civilian situations well into the future.

January 2008