Swedish aerospace and defense firm Saab has officially opened its new facility in Indiana, marking the continuation of the company’s global expansion efforts and its growth and investment in the US.
The 100,000-square-foot production facility in West Lafayette will be used for domestic production of the company’s aft airframe section for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer program.
Furthermore, the site will be utilized in training the next generation of aerospace engineers and other skilled workers. It will also support research and development of high-tech weapons and equipment for the military.
“This opening marks a historic moment for Saab,” chief executive officer Micael Johansson said in a press release. “This high-tech facility and its growing workforce are a result of Saab’s continued investment in the United States.”
By 2027, Saab is expected to hire around 300 employees for the new facility, including engineers, assemblers, and system administrators. The firm will also use the site in working collaboratively with Purdue University for research and development of sensor systems and artificial intelligence.
‘Something to Be Proud Of’
Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said he is excited and thrilled that his state and Purdue University are teaming up to improve the future of aerospace through the T-7A Red Hawk program.
He also believes that the opening of the new facility and the effort of Saab to provide Indiana residents with more opportunities to work in the defense and aerospace industry is “something we can all be proud of.”
Purdue president Mitch Daniels shares this view, saying the new facility will offer more internship and employment opportunities to students and alumni of the university.
He also explained that housing the new Saab facility in Purdue’s Discovery Park District and collaborating with the company in protecting the security of Americans is a “privilege” for the academic institution.
The newly-opened facility in West Lafayette is the seventh Saab site in the country.