iscover
Saab Australia and Adelaide University have signed a new strategic partnership agreement (SPA), deepening their long-running collaboration and positioning both organisations to support Australia’s future sovereign defence capability.
The agreement sets the framework for a whole-of-university partnership focused on emerging and strategically important technologies, including distributed command and control systems, autonomous platforms and hypersonic capability development.
Under the SPA, Saab and the university will work together on applied research aligned with national defence priorities, expand access to innovation through research networks, and strengthen workforce pathways through internships, work-integrated learning, industry engagement and professional development programs.
The partnership will also make extensive use of the Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre at Mawson Lakes, established with federal government support. The centre is designed to accelerate the development and integration of Australian-owned technologies, particularly in combat systems and complex defence software.
Adelaide University and the University of South Australia, which together form the new Adelaide University, have worked closely with Saab Australia for many years across curriculum development, research projects and workforce initiatives. Saab is a major industry partner in the Defence Trailblazer program, has supported numerous PhD projects and joint research bids, and has contributed to several Commonwealth grant proposals.
The company has also invested in expanding Australia’s STEM workforce, particularly by sponsoring development opportunities for young women pursuing engineering and science degrees.
The new SPA formalises Saab’s and the university’s intent to collaborate strategically across teaching, R&D and workforce development. It acts as an umbrella agreement, providing a long-term structure for coordinated engagement and shared capability development.
At the signing ceremony on Adelaide University’s North Terrace campus, Professor Jessica Gallagher, deputy vice-chancellor (international and external engagement), said the agreement represented a major step forward for the institution’s partnership with Saab.
“This SPA signifies a unified approach that enables the university to develop a comprehensive forward plan with Saab, integrating priorities in teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement,” Gallagher said.
“Saab and Adelaide University share a mutual interest in driving technological advancement, supporting workforce development and contributing to both defence and civilian sectors.”
Andy Keough CSC, managing director of Saab Australia, said the partnership would help shape the nation’s future defence capabilities. “This partnership will enable Saab and Adelaide University to drive future capability development aligned with Australia’s strategic defence priorities and create employment opportunities for South Australians,” he said.
Keough added: “We look forward to strengthening our collaboration to support innovative capability development and grow the highly skilled workforce the defence industry will need over [the] coming decades.”
The SPA takes effect immediately, with joint projects expected to expand across engineering, digital systems, defence sustainability and advanced technologies throughout 2026 and beyond.
