Local electronic warfare (EW) and avionics technology manufacturer Saab Grintek Defence is leveraging its international links to military and defence manufacturer Saab to develop its talent in South Africa, and to develop its new systems.

During a briefing at the African Aerospace and Defence 2026 exhibition on September 17, Saab Grintek Defence in South Africa country manager Dr Nivan Moodley explained that different teams across Saab's global footprint take the lead on designing subsystems that they are best suited for or most knowledgeable about.

This leads to the sharing of expertise among its teams. More than 90% of the local company's EW, sensor technology, aviation and support products are exported and this arrangement among different teams benefits Saab, which is focused on growing internationally, he said.

Technology has also been transferred from Sweden to South Africa through these processes and enables complementary development and synergies across its teams.

Similarly, Saab Grintek Defence in South Africa president and MD Sara Radu noted that the company saw a challenge in securing enough software engineers to support its digitalisation goals and to develop a fit-for-purpose future pipeline of products.

In response, it invited 500 final-year software and IT engineering students to its premises in Centurion, Gauteng, and put them through various tests. One test, developed by its local engineers, required teams of students to design and develop a program to escape a room by using clues hidden in the room.

Another test involved the final-year students developing realistic systems and solutions for Saab's locally built portfolio of products, she said.

The students engaged enthusiastically with these trials, she added.

While these tests provided the company with lots of data points, it also used a so-called “speed-dating” format, which saw members of its team have brief discussions with the students about the company's requirements and the students' goals and expectations, said Radu.

“This provided us with a good opportunity to see who fits well into our work culture, backed up by human interaction and data points. We selected 9 of these students whom we made offers to join our team, once their studies are complete,” she said.

“We want to deliver business transformation at speed; and not using AI, but ensuring robust processes and fit-for-purpose products in our future pipeline. Demands from our clients have also shifted, with rapid development and manufacturing of products now a requirement in the defence industry.”

Additionally, Saab was being asked to design for ease of manufacturing and for larger-scale manufacturing, while maintaining military-level quality standards, Radu said.

“We are developing our workforce to build our systems and capabilities for the next three to five years and ensure that we transform as the market changes,” said Moodley.

“We are strongly positioned for future demands. We must never be complacent and we are investing to build on the strong foundations we have for the next phase of our growth,” Radu said.