INTERIM REPORT

January - June 2003

Statement by the CEO

"Saab continues to enjoy good order bookings, totaling more than 12 billion SEK during the first six months of this year. This means that the order backlog is now at a record level of 47 billion SEK, corresponding to almost three years invoicing. The largest single order during the second quarter came from Airbus, with whom we have now signed the final agreement for the fixed leading edge on the A380 wing. During the quarter, we have also made on schedule delivery of the first leading edge to Airbus UK, part of a project in which Saab has been engaged since the concept studies in 1997.

Examples of other important orders during the second quarter are the Australian order for an air defense system, several British orders for laser simulators and the Swedish order for new remotely operated underwater vehicles for mine clearing and other purposes. Order bookings continue to be dominated by orders from customers outside Sweden, whose share of the order backlog increased to 62%.

During the second quarter, Saab submitted together with Ericsson, IBM and Boeing a tender to FMV for building the future Swedish network-based defense.

As already mentioned, the second quarter has seen further notices of personnel cutbacks within the Group. During the year, 800 persons have been given notice of redundancy as a result of weakening workload, primarily due to the few domestic development programs started in recent years.

The customary variation over the year and the costs of structural measures during both the first and second quarters resulted in income during the first six months being somewhat lower than in the same period last year. However, in line with my earlier assessment, I still expect continued growth as well as improvement in operating income and operating margin for the whole year.

On Monday 14 July, Åke Svensson will take over the helm at Saab, a duty for which he is outstandingly well suited. I view the change of captain with great confidence and wish Åke every success with an exciting, innovative and capable company."

For further information, please contact:

Agneta Kammeby, Manager Investor Relations tel. +46 13 18 71 25
Iréne Svensson, Senior Vice President,  
Corporate Communications tel. +46 8 463 01 30

Telephone interview with CEO Bengt Halse:

Today Wednesday July 9, approx. 13.00 tel.+46 13 18 71 49
Contact Marita Sidén tel.+46 734 18 71 49

International teleconference:

Today Wednesday July 9, 13.30 (CET). tel. +46 13 18 71 49
Contact Marita Sidén for registration and further information. tel.+46 734 18 71 49

 

 

The Interim report can also be accessed on the Internet at www.saab.se



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