The United Arab Emirates continues to make significant strides in establishing itself as a global leader in advanced defence technologies. In line with this vision, global defence company Saab is strengthening its presence in the UAE through strategic partnerships with the government and local institutions, with a strong focus on innovation and enhancing defence capabilities. To gain deeper insight into Saab’s approach and priorities, Al-Jundi interviewed Heléne Bittmann, the company’s managing director in the UAE, and had the following dialogue with her:
Please tell us about yourself and your career.
My career began in the Swedish military, where I served for 18 years in various roles in the Swedish Air Force. This experience gave me a solid foundation in leadership and strategic thinking, shaping my approach to complex challenges and opportunities throughout my career.
Following my military service, I transitioned to the defence industry, first with Saab in Italy and eventually to the UAE leading our research and development facility, Saab Ltd., located at Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) in Abu Dhabi. There, I oversaw operations, strengthened our market presence, and expanded our product offerings to meet the specific needs of the UAE.
In January 2024, I stepped into the role of Managing Director for Saab UAE. My experience to date has prepared me well to lead Saab UAE with a clear focus on innovation and building partnerships that align with the UAE’s defence and security priorities. Along with my responsibility for Saab’s operations here in the UAE, I oversee sales and business development within the country and across the region too.
Can you provide an overview of Saab’s current operations and strategic priorities in the UAE?
Saab’s operations in the UAE are deep-rooted and reflect our long-term commitment to the region, where we have a proven track record of collaborating with the UAE government and institutions.
At the heart of our strategy is our production and development facility in Abu Dhabi’s TIP, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge technologies and solutions as well as initiatives aimed at growing the local supply chain. Saab has supported the development of a competitive local defence and security sector. This facility enables us to develop advanced technologies, cater to a dynamic market, expand our local supply chain, and grow our Emirati workforce.
Our focus in the UAE aligns closely with the country’s ambitions in defence and high-tech innovation. We prioritize building strong partnerships with government and local institutions, advancing Emirati talent through Emiratisation programs, and creating advanced job opportunities to enhance the UAE’s defence capabilities and support localisation.
How is Saab contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in advanced technology and defence solutions?
Our strategy is fully aligned with the UAE’s national goals. We’ve had the privilege of working closely with government, industry, and academic partners to support key priorities like Emiratisation and localisation. Over the years, Saab has become a trusted partner in the UAE, providing essential defence offerings that advance the country’s leadership in technology and defence innovation. Our journey here dates back to the 1980s, and we’ve seen remarkable growth so far, with a major milestone being the establishment of our development and production facility at TIP. This facility allows us to manufacture advanced technologies locally, enhancing our local offering, supply chain and innovation.
We’re also very proud of the rapid growth of our Emirati workforce, which has expanded steadily. We continue to build on this momentum by engaging with local universities, participating at leading career fairs in the country like Tawdheef, as well as investing in comprehensive training programmes and career pathways to develop local expertise.
What is Saab’s approach to workforce development and talent acquisition in the UAE, especially in fostering local expertise in advanced defence technologies?
Saab is deeply committed to workforce development and talent acquisition in the UAE, placing a strong emphasis on fostering local expertise in this niche sector. We prioritise Emiratisation by creating opportunities for UAE nationals, especially through targeted recruitment at universities and career fairs, training programmes, and career development pathways. A key part of our strategy includes collaborating with academic institutions and participating in internship and mentorship programmes, aimed at encouraging Emiratis to pursue careers in high-tech defence fields – including STEM.
How is Saab navigating the digital transformation journey and its role in enhancing the efficiency of your operations?
Saab’s digital transformation is helping us work smarter and more effectively, with a strong focus on integrating AI and advanced technology into our defence solutions. In the last year or so Saab has integrated CrowdAI, a Silicon Valley-based company known for AI innovations, and BlueBear, a UK leader in AI-enabled autonomous swarm systems. These new Saab teams strengthen corporate capabilities and embed AI and digital solutions into the portfolio of products.
Overall, we remain future-ready and are always exploring new ways to integrate AI and software solutions into our existing products.
Would you like to send any message through Al Jundi Journal to the defence community in general, or in the UAE in particular?
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the defence community in the UAE for their commitment to advancing security and stability in an ever-changing world. Saab is honoured to be part of this community, with a continued focus on keeping people and society safe. We remain dedicated to supporting the UAE’s vision for a strong and innovative defence sector, and we look forward to even greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address both current and future challenges.
Interview by: ALJUNDI
