Saab Supports Indian Ambition To Create Indigenous Defence Industry
“Saab’s footprint in India has grown from small presence since its early days in India to a significant presence today. Upon joining as Head of Saab India, I noticed great potential for Saab to do much more in India. Saab has a wide range of products on offer in India in categories like air, navy, land, civil security, surveillance, electronic warfare, reconnaissance. Saab has made a long-term commitment to India. Saab is prepared to support Indian ambition to create indigenous defence industry for mutual benefits”, said Lars-Olof Lindgren, Head of Saab India on the occasion of Skeldar showcase at the Swedish Trade Council in New Delhi on 31st October, 2012. The event is being organized as a part of the Sweden India Nobel Memorial Week 2012 being organized by the Swedish Trade Council and the Embassy of Sweden.
Marita Ljung, Secretary of State, Sweden, Anders Malmström, Swedish Trade Commissioner, Lars-Olof Lindgren, Head of Saab India, Daniel Wolven, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Sweden, Mats Wigselius, Defense Attaché, Air Commodore Rippon Gupta and Dinesh Kumar, Group Director Engineer, National Technical Research Organisation lit a lamp to inaugurate a seminar on Skeldar, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from Saab. Marita Ljung said, “Ties between India and Sweden are friendly based on common interests in Democracy and economy. Our relations with India date back to 1957 when Jawaharlal Nehru visited Sweden and we are pleased to have active cooperation between India and Sweden. Sweden supports India’s security goals and we are not only seeking buyers for our products but also strategic partnership with India. Sweden companies including Saab are intensifying production in India. The way Saab has increased its footprint in India in the last six years has been commendable.”
The event progressed with presentations on Skeldar, Carabas and Battlefield Management System. Hans Berglund, Director Marketing UAS presented Skeldar as a technology demonstrator and the various benefits it can offer to India in the fields of land operations, navy, air force and civil security purposes. Jonas Carlsson, Product Manager, Skeldar gave the audience an overview on the constitution of Skeldar.
Mats Johansson, Director, Sales & Marketing India, EDS Saab spoke about Carabas and Michael Sahlberg, Director, Sales & Marketing India, Security & Defence systems Saab gave a presentation on Battlefield Management System.
The audience included officials and dignitaries from Embassy of Sweden, Ministry of Enterprise, Ministry of Energy & Communications, DRDO, Indian Air Force, Navy, National Technical Research Organisation and Piramal Systems & Technology Pvt. Ltd.