Saab to Open Munitions Production Facility in Michigan
Explosure of the Swedish Defense Major in the US
Giant step for the Swedish defense company, Saab, as it plans to open a munitions production facility in Grayling, Michigan. The announcement of this expansion was made on Tuesday, with groundbreaking activities slated before year-end. Aimed at supplementing the final assembly and integration of shoulder-fired munitions and precision fire systems, the manufacturing work at the facility is set to commence by early 2026 as stated by the company.
The Company’s Commitments
Emphasizing Saab’s commitment to the U.S. defense industrial base as well as the local community, Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the U.S. confirmed the company’s intention to create jobs and make substantial investments in the community of Grayling – the selected site for the facility.
Detailing the reasoning behind the choice of location, Smith specified that the site in Michigan provided an efficient way to carry out their operations. The 388-acre plot conveniently situated near the country’s largest Army National Guard training base boasts of a workforce experienced in the required production type.
The Potential for Growth
The new installation is part of a strategic global manufacturing campaign by the company aiming to amplify its worldwide capacity to produce ground combat weapons fourfold. The facility is set to offer employment to a minimum of 70 people, with opportunities to further increase this count as operations advance. Smith also hinted at the site extension potential to include an engineering capacity, highlighting their present predilection towards harnessing manufacturing capacity.
Advanced Manufacturing Capability and Innovation Center
In addition to manufacturing, the facility could potentially house an innovation center aimed at improving munitions production capacity in the country. This is seen as a supporting mechanism for the production of components for the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb, or GLSDB, system and close combat weapons.
Support from Michigan State
The state of Michigan has a rich history of supporting the defense industry with multiple defense manufacturers already present. The forthcoming Saab facility adds to the state’s legacy of arms production. Commenting on this development, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated, “We built the arsenal of democracy to win WWII and will keep rolling up our sleeves to protect our national defense”, further reinforcing Michigan’s commitment to national defense and advanced manufacturing.
Saab’s Growing Footprint in the US
Saab’s new installation in Michigan will be its tenth in the U.S. Other locations cover a range of industrial focus areas with facilities in West Lafayette, Indiana for aerospace advanced manufacturing; Syracuse, New York, for radar and sensor systems; and Cranston, Rhode Island, and Quincy, Massachusetts for autonomous and undersea systems.
Smith compared the Grayling facility’s operational model to Saab’s West Lafayette site where fuselages were initially built in Sweden before transferring production to the highly-technologically equipped Indiana plant during its low-level initial operation.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
