Aerospace

Sweden is one of the few countries in the world with the capacity to develop commercial and military aircraft.

Saab Technologies was established in Linköping in 1937 to develop and manufacture aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. It is here that almost all Swedish-built military aircraft have first seen the light of day. The latest, the JAS 39 Gripen, is the first fourth generation fighter aircraft in the world to enter service. The Gripen programme has mobilised Sweden's leading aerospace and industrial expertise including Volvo, Ericsson and Celsius, in addition to Saab Technologies. Gripen is now offered on the world market in co-operation with British Aerospace.

The development and manufacture of military aircraft has had many spin-off effects on Swedish industry. One is sophisticated weapons for the Swedish defence but also for export. Saab-Ericsson Space is the leading Swedish company in the space technology sector. Other major aerospace companies in the region are involved in for example maintenance of complete aircraft and aircraft components. In March 2000, Saab and the Celsius group merged and created Northern Europe's leading company in the defence industry, a merger that strengthens the position on international markets.

The Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, is located in Linköping and its Division of Aeronautics is responsible for the fundamental competencies of aerodynamics and structural engineering. The Swedish Civil Aviation Administration has been based in Norrköping since the mid-1970s. The authority is responsible for matters related to the infrastructure of Swedish civil aviation including aviation safety, air traffic control and the national airports.

Saab works very closely with Swedish universities and colleges. The company was therefore a natural driving force behind the foundation of Linköping University. Today graduated engineers from the Institute of Technology form an important part of the work force of Saab and other high-tech companies in the region.