Strengthening UK Defence and Industry
We were pleased to welcome the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, and National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce, to our Fareham campus.
Their visit provided a first-hand view of Saab’s growing footprint in the UK and the impact of our investment in strengthening sovereign capability, supporting skilled jobs and driving economic growth.
Opened in 2025, the state-of-the-art campus brings together radar and underwater robotics in a single location, supporting around 400 skilled roles and creating opportunities for apprentices and graduates. It reflects Saab’s long-term commitment to the UK and its role as a trusted defence and security partner.
Experiencing UK-Based Capability in Action
During their time on site, the Minister and National Armaments Director experienced the production of the Giraffe 1X radar and Saab Seaeye underwater robotics. As Saab’s UK centre of excellence for radar engineering, Fareham supports both the manufacture of new systems and the sustainment of in-service capability, including Giraffe AMB and TAIPAN (Arthur).
This capability continues to grow. The site has recently marked the production of its 100th Giraffe 1X radar and the opening of a dedicated Integration and Verification facility, strengthening in-house testing, delivery and performance. Alongside this, the Seaeye portfolio builds on a global fleet of more than 600 systems, trusted to operate in some of the most demanding subsea environments.
Together, these capabilities demonstrate how UK-based engineering, advanced manufacturing and consistent delivery combine to provide adaptable, mission-ready technologies across multiple domains.
Collaboration Driving Industrial Strength
The visit also reflected the strength of Saab’s wider contribution across the UK. Programmes such as Gripen, with 35% UK content, and NLAW, with more than 60% UK content, highlight the depth of collaboration with UK industry and supply chain partners.
These partnerships support high-value jobs, sustain critical skills and contribute to a more resilient industrial base, while enabling UK expertise to reach international markets and support export-led growth.
Investing in Future Talent
People remain central to the success of the Fareham campus. During the visit, the Minister met some of our apprentices, demonstrating the importance of continued investment in early careers and skills development.
This commitment is reflected across our broader approach, from apprenticeships to the launch of our Graduate Engineering Programme, providing hands-on experience across radar and underwater robotics. Together, these initiatives are helping to build the next generation of engineers and specialists, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of defence and security innovation.
Reflecting on the visit, Saab UK Managing Director Andy Fraser said:
“We welcome having the Minister and National Armaments Director coming to visit us in Fareham. This was a great opportunity to showcase how much we are doing in the UK to help keep people and society safe.
The UK Government is an incredibly important partner for Saab both on domestic capabilities and exports, so it was great to recognise the strength of that relationship."
Looking Ahead
As the Fareham campus continues to grow, the focus remains on delivering reliable capability, investing in people and advancing technology. The foundations established since opening – from production milestones to skills development – position the site to support future programmes and evolving customer requirements.
The visit provided a timely reminder of the role Saab UK plays in strengthening defence capability, supporting industry and delivering long-term value for the UK.