What Saab Australia does

Saab Australia is the Australian operating subsidiary of Saab AB (publ), the Swedish publicly listed defence prime, delivering high-technology solutions across naval combat systems, land and integrated systems, security and advanced technologies, and space. The company was established in 1987 and is headquartered in Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, with a workforce of approximately 778 employees focused primarily on sovereign defence capabilities for the Royal Australian Navy and the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence.

The core technology platform is the AusCMS Naval Combat Management System, originally introduced on Anzac Class frigates in the 1990s and now being upgraded and integrated for the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers through the Combat Systems Integration Integrated Project Team (CSI-IPT) Collaboration Agreement. The Multi-Function Console (MFC), designed and manufactured in Australia, is a key deliverable with over 100 units produced for export. Saab Australia combines proprietary combat system software, Australian-developed hardware consoles, and classified integration work to deliver complete combat capability for surface warships, and is positioning adjacent land, security and space portfolios for further growth.

Saab Australia generates revenue almost exclusively through direct government procurement, executing long-cycle defence contracts via Delivery Tasking Statements and Collaboration Agreements rather than commercial sales channels. Primary revenue streams include defence hardware sales (combat systems and consoles), professional services for systems integration, and an emerging licensing/export channel for Australian-designed naval technology to allied nations. Pricing is set through formal procurement processes and is not publicly disclosed, making the business model contract-anchored and highly dependent on a single sovereign buyer supplemented by a growing but smaller export book.

Name

Saab Australia

Legal name

Saab AB (publ)

Website

https://saab.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Saab Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Swedish defence prime Saab AB, delivering sovereign naval combat systems (AusCMS, Multi-Function Consoles, Hobart Class upgrades), land, security and space capabilities to the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Department of Defence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Combat Systems / Defence Systems Integration

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Naval Combat Systems Integration & Mission Systems (IMABAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space-Based Defense Systems (SSA, Missile Warning, Protected SATCOM) (IMABAOAH), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Support Systems (IMABAKAO)

Keywords

• Naval combat systems
• Combat management systems
• Land defence integration
• Military security solutions
• Defence systems engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defence Government Contracts: Primary revenue from government defence procurement including naval combat systems, land systems, security solutions and space capabilities delivered to the Australian Department of Defence and allied defence forces.
2. Combat Systems Integration Services: Engineering and integration services for naval combat systems including development, testing, upgrade and maintenance of combat management systems for Royal Australian Navy vessels.
3. Export of Defence Technology: International sales of Australian-designed and manufactured defence technology including Multi-Function Consoles exported to allied nations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Saab Australia designs, develops, and integrates defence technology and systems for the Australian Defence Force and allied militaries. Its core offerings centre on Naval Combat Systems (including the Australian-developed AusCMS combat management system and the Multi-Function Console), Land and Integrated Systems, Security and Advanced Technologies, and Space solutions. It also provides through-life combat systems integration and sustainment support.

Product overview

Saab Australia provides a portfolio of high-technology defense, civil and security solutions organized into four core domains: Naval Combat Systems (including the AusCMS Naval Combat System and Multi-Function Consoles), Land and Integrated Systems, Security and Advanced Technologies, and Space. The company specializes in delivering sovereign defense capabilities to the Royal Australian Navy, with the AusCMS Combat Management System serving as the core naval platform since its introduction on Anzac Class vessels in the 1990s. The Multi-Function Console represents a key Australian-designed and manufactured export product, with over 100 units delivered globally. Saab Australia's offerings integrate combat systems, security technologies, and advanced solutions across defense and civil domains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AusCMS: Naval Combat System deployed on Anzac Class and Hobart Class vessels
• Multi-Function Console (MFC)

Products and services

• Naval Combat Systems Integrated naval combat management system portfolio delivering situation awareness, weapons control, and platform integration for surface combatants, tailored to the Royal Australian Navy and allied navies.
• Australian Combat Management System (AusCMS) Australia's sovereign, locally developed combat management system designed to operate naval surface combatants, providing the situational awareness, weapons control, and tactical decision-support software baseline for current and future RAN frigates.
• Multi-Function Console (MFC) A hardened naval operator console providing the human-machine interface for Saab Australia's combat management system, deployed on board Royal Australian Navy surface combatants and allied platforms.
• Land and Integrated Systems Systems integration, design, and through-life support services for Australian Army and joint land defence platforms, drawing on Saab AB group land systems technology.
• Security and Advanced Technologies Advanced electronic, surveillance, and security solutions for defence, government, and critical infrastructure customers, leveraging Saab AB group security IP.
• Space Space-based defence products and capabilities, including space situational awareness and related technologies, delivered primarily to the Australian Department of Defence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.6 billion economic contribution to Australian economy
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Wright TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Saab Australia and maritime electronics specialists Wright Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding defence and maritime opportunities in New Zealand. This partnership aims to pursue defence and maritime business opportunities in the New Zealand market.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Global defence electronics major with broad maritime and communications capability. Overlaps with Saab Australia's naval communications and electronic warfare domains through its Australian business.
• Saab AB (parent): Swedish publicly listed parent of Saab Australia. Provides the broader defence and aerospace portfolio context (Gripen, A26 submarines, surface ships, missiles) within which Saab Australia sits.
• Northrop Grumman Australia: Australian arm of U.S. defence prime, active in C4ISR, unmanned systems and space — overlapping with Saab Australia's Space and Security & Advanced Technologies domains.

Direct peers

• Thales Australia: Major French-headquartered defence prime with deep Australian operations across naval, land and air domains, including sonar, communications and combat systems on RAN platforms — a direct competitor for sovereign defence capability contracts.
• BAE Systems Australia: Australian arm of BAE Systems, supplying naval combat management systems, shipbuilding and sustainment to the Royal Australian Navy (Hunter-class frigates). Direct competitor to Saab Australia for integrated naval combat and platform programs.
• Raytheon Australia: Australian arm of Raytheon, supplying naval combat systems, missiles and sensors (e.g., ESSM, SM-2) and providing combat system integration to the RAN Hobart Class. Closely comparable in naval CMS domain.
• Lockheed Martin Australia: U.S. defence prime's Australian subsidiary, involved in integrated air and missile defence, rotary wing and major platform programs. A direct competitor for large-scale defence integration and combat system roles.
• Leonardo Australia: Italian-headquartered defence and aerospace company operating in Australia across naval, helicopter and electronic systems. Directly comparable as a foreign prime with Australian sovereign defence delivery capability.

Emerging players

• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian defence firm supplying naval combat systems, missiles and sonars with growing Australian presence (e.g., NASAMS air defence, Joint Strike Missile). A relevant competitor in naval combat management and weapons systems integration.
• Naval Group Australia: French naval shipbuilder's Australian arm, originally selected for the Attack-class submarine program. Comparable as a foreign prime offering sovereign naval platform and combat system capability to the RAN.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saab-australia-pty-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saab Australia