Saab arms sales surge as Nato turns from US suppliers

Swedish defence group Saab has reported a surge in orders from Nato members, including Germany, Poland and Ukraine, as European buyers increasingly avoid American suppliers.

According to Johan Granholm, a lecturer at Sweden’s National Defence University, the shift reflects both the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a broader European reappraisal of defence policy since 2022.

“The entire European defence industry has expanded massively,” Granholm said. “Even smaller firms have benefited.”

Saab’s chief executive, Michael Johansson, said Europe’s renewed focus on self-reliance had driven demand. “There’s a clear awakening, especially in Europe,” he said. “We need strong defences to take responsibility ourselves.”

Granholm noted that Saab’s diversified portfolio—spanning ships, submarines, fighter jets and radar systems—allows it to compete across multiple sub-markets where US firms dominate.

He also highlighted a growing reluctance among Nato states to procure from the United States. “There are clear indications of this trend,” he said, pointing to French President Emmanuel Macron’s push for European-made systems free of US components.

“The question is: can you trust the US? We don’t know for sure,” Granholm added.

Critics, however, warn that rising arms exports fuel violence. Kerstin Bergeå, chair of the Swedish Peace Council, said military buildups historically escalate conflict rather than prevent it.

“We must prioritise international law and work toward disarmament,” she said.