Defense Express reported the information.Ukraine's Defense Ministry has announced a landmark agreement with Swedish defense manufacturer Saab to jointly produce air defense systems on Ukrainian soil as part of the Build in Ukraine initiative, a program aimed at developing the country's domestic defense industrial complex.The deal was likely finalized during the Ukrainian president's recent visit to Sweden, though no specific timelines or details about the production have been disclosed yet. Officials suggest this agreement will serve as the foundation for developing a comprehensive manufacturing project.While the exact products to be manufactured remain unspecified, Saab's portfolio offers several possibilities. The company produces the RBS 70 NG man-portable air defense system, already in use by Ukrainian forces, as well as the mobile MSHORAD air defense system that uses the same missiles. Additionally, Saab has developed the Nimbrix anti-drone missile, which would be particularly valuable for Ukraine in countering Shahed-type drones. The company also created a specialized anti-drone system in remarkably short order, bringing it into service within just four months.Saab's radar systems—including the Giraffe 1X, Giraffe 4A, and Giraffe AMB—represent another crucial component of air defense networks that could theoretically be co-produced in Ukraine.The air defense production agreement takes on added significance when viewed alongside another major development from the Swedish visit: a reported deal to procure 100-150 JAS-39E/F fighter jets, also manufactured by Saab.Given that Saab's production lines are already heavily committed to orders for Sweden and export customers, fulfilling Ukraine's order would likely require licensing production or assembly operations in Ukraine. Establishing fighter jet production in another country is an extremely complex and lengthy process, as Brazil's experience with similar arrangements clearly demonstrates.Air defense system production will almost certainly be established in Ukraine before any Gripen manufacturing, given the technological complexity differences. However, having Saab production facilities already operating in Ukraine could significantly simplify and accelerate the eventual deployment of JAS-39 manufacturing capabilities. The two production operations could theoretically even be located at the same facility or in close proximity.Regardless of the configuration, both projects will require years to fully implement, though the air defense systems are expected to come online considerably sooner than the fighter jet production.