Saab and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) have launched a strategic collaboration to accelerate research and development in unmanned aerial systems and microelectronics.
Under the framework agreement, Saab and KSE will conduct joint research projects, engage students in hands-on experimentation, and pursue technology development aimed at next‑generation capabilities.
According to the Swedish defense firm, the areas of collaboration are critical for future defense and dual‑use technologies. The partnership also reflects both organizations’ focus on aligning academic research with practical defense challenges in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Saab brings to the collaboration extensive expertise in large‑scale defense systems, sensor technologies, and front‑end solutions, while KSE provides an applied research environment grounded in battlefield requirements and experimental innovation.
“This collaboration strengthens our global technology research capabilities and gives us direct insights into the new defense opportunities enabled by unmanned aerial vehicles technologies and microelectronics,” Saab deputy chief executive officer Anders Carp said.
Saab Expands Research Collaborations
Saab’s partnership with the KSE complements a broader series of research collaborations the company has pursued in recent years.
In 2025, Saab extended its work with Aalto University in Finland through 2036, building on a 2017 partnership that focused on antenna technology, microelectronics, radar signal processing, artificial intelligence, and hydroacoustic sensing.
The Swedish defense firm expanded its memorandum of understanding in 2024 with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency to explore joint underwater technology innovation, advancing maritime defense research and operational concepts.
It also secured funding from the Nordic Investment Bank in 2025 to fund research and development in autonomy, AI-based command and control, distributed sensors, and advanced weapons systems, marking one of the bank’s largest defense loans to date.
In the UK, Saab strengthened its academic ties through the Innovation Network at Imperial College London, launching research initiatives in AI, autonomous systems, and software in 2025 to expand collaboration between Swedish defense expertise and deep tech research.
