The move is only the last of a series of operations and acquisitions Saab is carrying on to strengthen its new technology capabilities
Saab has signed a strategic partnership with Helsing, a defence company specialising in AI-based software technologies. The partnership is based on a cooperation agreement plus Saab’s investment of €75 million in cash for a 5 per cent stake in Helsing GmbH. The two companies will initially cooperate on electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities for fighter aircraft, sensors and command and control applications in all domains.
Helsing, founded in 2021, develops AI-based capabilities with a software-only approach. The company has offices in Germany, the United Kingdom and France and employs approximately 220 people.
“The investment in Helsing marks another milestone in Saab’s commitment to further bolster our capabilities and continuously improve our portfolio to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Together with the recent acquisitions of BlueBear in the United Kingdom and CrowdAI in the US, it also supports our international growth strategy as we seek to ensure Saab is well positioned in strategic markets,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
“We founded Helsing because we believe that AI will be essential for democracies to continue to defend their values. To serve that mission, we are committed to deep partnerships with established defence companies, combining their exquisite platforms with our cutting-edge software and AI. Saab, as a renowned European all-domain defence company, is an ideal partner for our advanced software and AI solutions. In today’s challenging threat landscape, it’s ambitious partnerships like these that lead the way,” says Dr Gundbert Scherf, co-CEO and co-founder of Helsing.
Saab’s investment is part of Helsing’s recent funding round, led by venture capital firm General Catalyst. It is currently strengthening its new technology capabilities (including AI and machine learning) through acquisitions and strategic partnerships with specialised companies.
During the last weeks, Saab acquired the US artificial intelligence (AI) company CrowdAI and BlueBear Systems Group Ltd., a provider of AI-enabled autonomous swarm systems for complex defence and security applications based in the UK.
