Saab Expands Strategic Research Co-operation With Aalto University

Encouraged by the excellent results from research co-operation with Aalto University, Saab is now investing an additional 3 million euro to further expand this strategic collaboration into new research areas. This new funding brings the total investment to 23 million euro for the years 2017-2026. With the additional funding, the collaboration will extend beyond doctoral level to postdoctoral research.

The additional funding expands the research collaboration into new areas, focusing on autonomous systems, cognitive technologies and machine learning. These technologies will in the long run be critical competitive factors for the advanced products and solutions developed by Saab in Finland and elsewhere globally.Saab anticipates that this research funding will support Aalto University to become one of the leading universities within these critical technology areas.

In 2017 Saab launched a substantial research collaboration with Aalto University. Since then, ten doctoral level research projects have been ongoing in the areas of antenna technology, micro-electronics, digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, hydro acoustics as well as quantum technology. The research is engaging over 30 professors, researchers and PhD students. The projects have resulted in dozens of scientific publications and several patent applications. The very first Doctors of Science (Technology) will graduate from the Saab Aalto programme this year.

”During the recent years we have invested a lot in the expansion of our operations in Finland, establishing extensive capabilities in research and development, as well as production. We are truly satisfied with the results of our strategic co-operation with Aalto University. The outcome and results support our product development centre in Tampere and also other entities of Saab. With this further investment we are now able to ensure strong research competence in new areas that are important for our current and future products”, says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

This also strengthens Finnish - Swedish research co-operation and creates new opportunities for European and global research collaborations, providing possibilities for Saab, Aalto University and their partners to participate in several multinational research programmes together.

”Saab's significant investment and long-term commitment to collaboration with Aalto university helps our researchers to take their research to international excellence. Thanks to Saab, Aalto researchers have access to the latest industry knowledge and real-life application challenges boosting scientific breakthroughs and innovations”, says Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.

Apart from the research cooperation with Aalto University, Saab is also a strategic partner to Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre. In May 2021 Saab placed an additional investment of one million euro to further enhance the collaboration in key areas of research conducted with the VTT. In 2018 Saab established the Saab Technology Centre in Tampere. The centre is part of Saab’s global product development organisation. The centre currently employs more than 50 engineers focused on the development of electronic warfare systems and other applications for the Gripen E/F fighter aircraft as well as combat management systems. The centre is rapidly growing and recruitments are constantly ongoing.