Saab has used the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition to reveal the senior management team for its newly-opened UK headquarters.

Rustan Nicander has been appointed chairman of the company’s UK business, having previously been vice-president and head of its European activities. The post of managing director will be held by Peter Hultin, formerly a business development executive for the Swedish manufacturer.

Recently opened in London, Saab’s UK headquarters will house a design centre with locally-recruited engineers who will initially be tasked with completing study work on a proposed Sea Gripen fighter. The company has already begun marketing the design to nations including Brazil and India.

Detailing his company’s plans in London earlier this year, chief executive Håkan Buskhe said Saab could grow significantly from its current total of around 200 employees in the UK. “There’s no reason why we couldn’t be 10 times as big here,” he said.

The company’s current activities in the nation include providing counter-improvised explosive device training for land forces, with more than 10,000 personnel having received instruction to date.

Referring to the new managerial appointments, Buskhe said: “We want to build on our existing relationships and confirm our long-term commitment to the UK.”

 Skeldar V-200 - Saab
© Saab

Among the Saab products on display at DSEi will be a maritime version of the company’s Skeldar vertical take-off and landing unmanned air system.

Source: FlightGlobal.com