Saab AB in industrial partnership with Airbus on A380 programme

Saab AB of Sweden has confirmed its involvement as an industrial partner in the Airbus A380 superjumbo programme. The Swedish defence, aviation and space group will undertake a major package of work on the wings for the new 555-seat Airbus A380 and is also bidding for work on other parts of the aircraft.

Under an agreement between the two companies, signed in May 2001, Saab AB will be responsible for the 31 metre long fixed section of A380 mid and outer wing leading edge. This major package of work involves detail design, manufacture and assembly.

The package of wing work is potentially worth more than US$1billion over the next twenty years. Delivery of the first completed section to Airbus’ wing assembly plant at Broughton in North Wales, UK will be in 2003.

Saab AB will be a risk-sharing industrial partner. The ‘heads of agreement’ defining terms and conditions, will be turned into a full business contract during the next few months.

The Swedish defence, aviation and space group has had representatives working with the A380 Wing aircraft component management team at Airbus in Filton, England for many months.

As a result of the agreement, Saab’s Linköping plant will now begin detail design work and prepare for production. In addition to some 600 man-years of design activity the production work will build up to employ around 200 manufacturing staff.

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.

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Peter Larsson
Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs, Saab Aerospace
Phone: +46 070-989 7109,
e-mail: peter.larsson@saab.se

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