Victoria will be home to a new cutting-edge facility which will create highly skilled jobs and draw on the state's strong industry capabilities, with global defence giant Saab expanding its local presence.
Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas today opened Saab Australia's new System Integration and Support Centre, which will create 50 new jobs and help drive Victoria's economic recovery.
The co-investment between the Andrews Labor Government and Saab will continue the company's growth in Victoria and its enhance contribution to industry-leading defence projects.
The centre will become Saab's Asia Pacific hub for integrated communications systems - creating a range of software and systems engineering roles and significantly expand the company's capabilities.
The move will involve the relocation of the company's global Deployable Health Care Centre of Excellence from Sweden to Victoria - harnessing the state's tech infrastructure and skilled workforce.
The investment will also enable Saab to transfer technology and IP to Victoria, while creating opportunities for Victorian supply chain companies.
Saab Australia was established in 1987 to build and develop Australia's defence capability and currently employs about 560 people nationally, including 45 in Victoria.
The company has contributed to major defence projects, including ANZAC class frigates and has been announced as a major partner for both the SEA 5000 and SEA 1180 naval projects and the Joint Project 2060 for deployable health modules.
Victoria's defence sector contributes up to $8.4 billion to the state's economy each year, directly and indirectly employing around 36,000 people and supporting thousands of businesses.
As stated by Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas
"Investments like these are critical to our economic recovery - fostering innovation, boosting local supply chain opportunities and creating jobs in the defence sector."
"This ground-breaking work will also develop the skills of local experts and position Victoria as a world leader in the sector."
As stated by Managing Director Saab Australia Andy Keough
"Saab has had a small office and team based in Melbourne for over a decade, but this co-investment will see our Melbourne footprint expand to enable the delivery of major new defence projects, along with continued in-service support for Australian Defence Force equipment."
