Saab awarded large framework deal without competition

Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded Saab a framework agreement for technical system support and central workshop services, with a total value of approximately SEK 483.5 million. 

The contract was awarded without prior competition, underlining the specialised nature of the services and the narrow supplier base in this segment.

The agreement covers repair, maintenance and associated services for military aircraft and related equipment, according to the official contract award notice. The work will be carried out in Stockholm County and will run from January 2026 until March 2033, indicating a sustained operational role for Saab in supporting Swedish defence capabilities.

FMV justified the direct award on the basis that the contract could only be fulfilled by a single supplier for technical reasons. Only one tender was received, reinforcing the limited competition in this area of military maintenance and system support.

Limited supplier base

The procurement was conducted as a negotiated procedure without prior call for competition, a format permitted under EU defence procurement rules where technical constraints or exclusive rights restrict the market. 

In this case, FMV explicitly cited “absence of competition for technical reasons” as the basis for the award.

Such arrangements are not uncommon in defence procurement, particularly where platforms, subsystems or maintenance arrangements are closely tied to original equipment manufacturers, OEMs. 

Saab, headquartered in Linköping, is Sweden’s principal defence contractor and a supplier of advanced military systems, including aircraft and support infrastructure.

The scope of the framework agreement indicates continued reliance on Saab not only for production but also for lifecycle support, an area of growing importance as defence systems become more complex and require integrated long-term servicing.