Saab AB
Saab is a Swedish defence and aerospace group with a deep Indian footprint in two pillars: (i) ground-combat weapons — Saab was awarded an Indian contract for AT4 anti-armour support weapons (announce
Last verified:
At a Glance
- Headquarters
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Type
- Manufacturer (listed)
- Founded
- 1937
- India entity
- null
- Listed
- Nasdaq Stockholm: SAAB-B
- Key India role
- Saab is a Swedish defence and aerospace group with a deep Indian footprint in two pillars: (i) ground-combat weapons — Saab was awarded an Indian contract for AT4 anti-armour support weapons (announce
- indicators
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- key specs
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What It Is
Saab is a Swedish defence and aerospace group with a deep Indian footprint in two pillars: (i) ground-combat weapons — Saab was awarded an Indian contract for AT4 anti-armour support weapons (announced March 2022) and is constructing India's first foreign-owned defence manufacturing facility, a Carl-Gustaf M4 factory in Haryana (construction began March 2024), making Saab the first OEM to leverage the new 74% FDI liberalisation; (ii) fighter aircraft — Saab is offering Gripen E for the Indian MRFA tender (114 fighters) and previously partnered with Adani (Sep 2017) before publicly stating in January 2023 that it would not partner Adani on Gripen local production. Saab continues to pitch Gripen for India with local production options as recently as February 2026.
Deployments & Procurement
4 documented India deployment(s)/procurement(s).
| Agency | Context | Year | Quantity / Note | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Army (AT4 contract) | Saab awarded Indian contract for AT4 anti-armour support weapon | 2022 | undisclosed | [1][2][3] |
| Indian Army (Carl-Gustaf M4 'Make in India') | Saab begins construction of new Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility in India (Haryana) — first foreign-owned defence manufacturing facility in India | 2024 | n/a (facility) | [1][2][3] |
| Adani Group (former Gripen partnership) | Saab-Adani partnership announced September 2017 to build Gripen E in India; Saab confirmed in January 2023 that it would not partner Adani | 2017-2023 | n/a (terminated partnership) | [1][2][3] |
| Indian Air Force (MRFA Gripen E offer) | Saab continues to pitch Gripen E for India's 114-fighter MRFA tender with local production options; IAF reportedly leaning toward direct Rafale deal instead (Aug 2025) | 2024-2026 | 114 (offer) | [1][2][3] |
Import Dependencies
Not analysed in this dossier.
Intelligence Assessment
Methodology: /research/methodology/
FAQ
Is Saab building a Carl-Gustaf factory in India?
Yes. On 5 March 2024 Saab began construction of a new Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility in Haryana, India — the first foreign-owned defence manufacturing facility in India under the post-2020 FDI liberalisation that allows up to 74% foreign ownership via government route.
Did Saab partner with Adani to build Gripen in India?
Saab announced a collaboration plan with the Adani Group on 1 September 2017 to manufacture Gripen E fighters in India for the MRFA competition. However, in January 2023 Saab confirmed it would NOT partner Adani on Gripen local production, leaving Saab without a confirmed Indian industrial partner for the Gripen E MRFA offer.
Sources
- src-01Officialhttps://www.saab.com/markets/india
Saab India corporate page
- src-02Officialhttps://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2022/saab-awarded-indian-contract-for-at4-support-weapon
Saab awarded Indian contract for AT4 support weapon
- src-03Crediblehttps://www.ajaishukla.com/2022/01/saab-awarded-indian-contract-for-at4.html
Independent confirmation of Saab AT4 contract for India
- src-04Crediblehttps://www.aviationspaceindia.com/news/saab-delivers-at4-systems-india-advances-carl-gustaf-production-plans
Saab delivers AT4 systems to India; advances Carl-Gustaf production plans
- src-05Officialhttps://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/saab-starts-construction-of-new-carl-gustaf-factory-in-india
Saab starts construction of new Carl-Gustaf factory in India
- src-06Officialhttps://www.saab.com/markets/india/stories/2024/three-things-to-know-about-saabs-carl-gustaf-manufacturing-facility-in-india
Saab's Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility in India — key facts
- src-07Crediblehttps://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/industry/saab-begins-construction-of-carl-gustaf-manufacturing-facility-in-india
Confirms Saab begins construction of Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility in India
- src-08Officialhttps://en.saabblog.net/2024/03/07/saab-indien
Saab AB building new factory in Haryana, India
- src-09Officialhttps://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2017/saab-and-adani-announce-collaboration-plan-for-aerospace-and-defence-in-india
Saab-Adani collaboration plan for Gripen in India
- src-10Crediblehttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/saab-ties-up-with-adani-group-to-manufacture-gripen-in-india/article19601033.ece
Saab ties up with Adani group to manufacture Gripen in India
- src-11Crediblehttps://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/01/saab-will-not-partner-adani-group-in.html
Saab will not partner Adani Group in jointly building Gripen in India
- src-12Crediblehttps://www.aviacionline.com/saab-is-left-without-local-partner-to-build-gripen-in-india
Saab is left without local partner to build Gripen in India
- src-13Officialhttps://www.saab.com/markets/india/gripen-for-india
Saab Gripen for India product page
- src-14Crediblehttps://www.eurasiantimes.com/rafale-vs-gripen-saab-again-makes-tempting-pitch-to-indian-air-force-for-114-jets-will-iaf-pay-heed
Saab reiterates Gripen E pitch to IAF for MRFA 114-jet tender with local production