A Portuguese group will manufacture components for Swedish Saab fighter jets

The Portuguese industrial group Vangest, renowned for manufacturing moulds and plastic parts across various industries and recently expanding into aerospace, will begin producing components for Sweden's Saab Gripen fighter jets. Vangest's statement reveals that this partnership is part of Saab's strategy to broaden its international manufacturing network and enhance the production capacity of the Gripen E/F.

The deal covers the creation of eight intricate components for the Gripen E/F fighter jets at Vangest's facilities in Marinha Grande, just north of Lisbon. This collaboration is anticipated to generate new skilled employment opportunities in the region.

Saab justifies the partnership with Vangest's advanced manufacturing capabilities and extensive experience, highlighting the potential for future expansion. Johan Segertoft, head of Saab's Gripen business unit, emphasized in a company statement that through this alliance, Saab aims to expand its manufacturing network, bolster production capacity, and provide Portugal with a tangible role in the Gripen programme.

The exact value of the deal, including investment levels, the quantity of components to be manufactured, or estimates of job creation, remains undisclosed. Additionally, the projected start date for the production process has not been specified.

This announcement arrives as discussions for renewing Portugal's F-16 Air Force jets are anticipated. The Gripen fighter jets are among the models being considered by the Portuguese government as potential acquisition options. In their statement, Saab asserts that the selection of their model would present additional opportunities to intensify the recently announced cooperation, focusing on the development of Portugal's aerospace and defense industries, and reinforcing its position within the European defense industrial landscape.