Saab will relocate the headquarters of its North American defense and security business from Ashburn, Virginia, to East Syracuse, New York, in a push to grow the unit’s U.S. footprint and local presence in the state, Syracuse.com reported Wednesday.Rick Moriarty writes New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in his State of the State address Saab will make a $55 million investment as part of the headquarters’ move to its East Syracuse facility, which he said would perform research and development work on unmanned aerial vehicles.
Cuomo noted the company will also launch a technology transfer initiative at its DeWitt, New York-based Saab Sensis subsidiary in an effort to help East Syracuse-based Saab Defense and Security USA create new products for U.S. government and commercial clients.
He added that the state will provide the Sweden-based defense contractor $30 million in total incentives in the form of tax credits and a grant in exchange for the company’s investment and job creation efforts in Central New York, Moriarty reports.
John Belanger, a spokesman for Saab, said the company will create an additional 260 jobs that include engineering positions at its two New York-based subsidiaries, which currently have 450 employees.
Saab said Wednesday that that it will invest in its U.S. defense and security subsidiary in an effort to facilitate technology transfers and R&D work as well as advance its testing, production and organic engineering capabilities.
Michael Andersson, head of market area North America for Saab, said the company expects to develop new platforms, facilitate job growth and expand its U.S. presence through its agreement with the state of New York.
