1907
AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstäderna, ASJ, founded in Linköping by the brothers Carl Johan and Erland Uggla.
1914
The shipyard delivers the first submarines to the Swedish Navy, the Svärdfisken and Tumlaren, and submarine production becomes the main focus of the company’s operations.
1930
ASJ’s aircraft department is formed, ASJA, on the initiative of managing director Erland Uggla. The head of the department was Sven Blomberg.
1932
ASJA buys Svenska Aero from Carl Clemens Bücker for SEK 250,000. The purchase included a previously placed order for seven fighter aircraft of the type J6 Jaktfalken.
1936
Defence decision entails significant build-up of the air force. This is interpreted to mean that by 1943, Sweden should acquire 297 warplanes and 95 training aircraft. Discussions were initiated between ASJA and Bofors on forming a single company for the manufacture and design of aircraft.
1937
Svenska Aero AB founded with head office in Trollhättan. Behind the new company are Bofors and Ab Ars (subsidiary of the Electrolux Group). Among the founders are: Marcus Wallenberg, Axel Wenner-Gren, Sven Wingquist. Agreement is reached in January for the shares to be equally distributed between ASJA and Bofors, and AB Förenade Flyverkstäder, AFF, is founded on 31 March.
1939
Svenska Aero AB buys out competitor ASJA and moves head office to Linköping. In practice, it is ASJA that takes over the Saab brand.
Second World War breaks out and Bofors plays a key role in equipping the Swedish Armed Forces.
1942
Statens Uppfinnarnämnd (a government organisation for promoting innovations for the Swedish military), Bofors, L M Ericsson and Saab begin joint research on ekoradar, the Swedish name for radar.
1945
Maiden flight for Saab 91 Safir, 20 November. Until the Saab 340, the plane was Saab’s most successful export. It was used by several flight schools and air forces. Total of 323 produced. Designed by Anders Johan Andersson.
A unique subterranean shop facility in Linköping was put in service, measuring 20,000 square metres.
1946
Development begins of antitank rifle, 84 mm m/48, at FFV in Eskilstuna, but barrels manufactured by Bofors. The antitank rifle goes under the name Carl-Gustaf outside of Sweden.
1948
Maiden flight of Saab 29 Tunnan.
1952
Maiden flight of Saab 32 Lansen, which was used by the Swedish Air Force from 1956 until 1997.
1955
Maiden flight of Saab 35 Draken.
1962
The submarines Draken, Vargen, Nordkaparen and Springaren launched. The first series to be fully designed by Kockums and a confirmation that the company had achieved the capability to produce its own submarines.
Ericsson develops the first fully Swedish-made aircraft radar for Saab 35 Draken.
1965
The company changes its name to Saab AB.
1969
Scania-Vabis AB merged into Saab-Scania AB.
1977
First delivery of the Giraffe antiaircraft radar system.
1987
With an eight-metre long Stirling section, the Näcken became the first Stirling-powered submarine in the world. With the Stirling technology, a submarine can remain submerged for several weeks at a time. The nearly silent machinery also makes the submarines more difficult to detect.
Kockums receives a huge export order valued at SEK 15 billion from Australia to build six submarines for the Australian Royal Navy. Kockums built the forebody, mid-section and two platforms for the first Collins submarine in Malmö.
1988
First test flight of JAS 39 Gripen.
1990
Aviation and motor vehicle production are separated: General Motors takes over automobile production in newly formed Saab Automobile AB. Scania becomes a separate company. The remaining parts stay in Saab AB.
1992
Bofors merges with Förenade Fabriksverken i Eskilstuna and forms the company Swedish Ordnance in the Celsius Group.
1999
Saab acquires defence group Celsius.
2000
A major change. Saab and Celsius (including former Bofors) merge and gather aircraft, missile and avionics manufacture at Saab. Bofors’ artillery operations, including intelligent ammunition, are transferred to BAE Systems.
Bofors is split between Saab Dynamics (missiles and light support weapons) and BAE Systems Bofors AB (barrel systems and ammunition), which is included in the defence group BAE Systems Inc.
2006
Saab becomes sole owner of Ericsson Microwave Systems and Saab Ericsson Space.
2009
Major initiative begun in research and development of new-generation radar system.
2013
Saab signs an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for Gripen E.
2014
Saab and Thyssen Krupp announce signing of a letter of intent pertaining to Saab’s purchase of Kockums.
Saab and Brazil sign contract for Gripen E.
2015
Major contract with the United Arab Emirates for the new radar system Swing Role Surveillance System.
2017
Saab acquires Dockstavarvet shipyard and the repair shipyard Muskövarvet AB, in order to strengthen Saab’s product offering in the naval domain.
2018
U.S. Air Force selects Saab and Boeing T-X trainer. The advanced trainer will be developed and produced together with Boeing for the United States Air Force.
2020
The first Brazilian Gripen flies in Brazil and the local production of the aircraft begins.
2021
First delivery of T-7A aft section.
Gripen E enters delivery phase for Brazilian and Swedish Air Forces.
2022
Saab receives order for 2 Global Eye systems to Sweden.
Gripen E now in operation with the Brazilian Air Force.
2023
Saab opens new UK radar production site in Fareham.
First flight of T-7A by the United States Air Force.
2024
Saab’s Chief Test Pilot, Marcus Wandt, travels to space and the International Space Station on a European Space Agency mission.