Saab: Swedish NATO membership will make America safer

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Journal & Courier received the following commentary from Robert Ulibarri, vice president and general manager of Aerospace Systems at Saab, Inc. in West Lafayette.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine this February, the world changed. Russia’s unprovoked attack has resulted in devastating impact to the Ukrainian people and raised security threats for America’s allies. This assault on a sovereign peaceful nation has made it clear that for too long we have taken the relative peace in Europe for granted.

The heroic response of the Ukrainian people to the Russian invasion has been awe-inspiring and reminds us that freedom isn’t free. The powerful aid and support provided to Ukraine from the United States and our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and partners has shown the world that might still does not make right.

The events of the past few months have also highlighted the importance of NATO to the security of the free world. NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means, and it has served the United States and our allies well since it was founded in 1949. By joining NATO, allies make a commitment to one another that an attack on one is an attack against all. This doctrine, known as Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, is at the heart of the alliance. In fact, the only time in history Article 5 has been invoked was after 9/11, when the United States was attacked, and NATO allies rallied to America’s side.

Now, Sweden is on the verge of becoming a member of the NATO alliance. As a democracy that upholds the rule of law and a leader in promoting human rights, Sweden would expand the circle of North American and European democracies committed to defending each other. Sweden would also add significant, modern technological capabilities to NATO including Saab’s Gripen E fighter aircraft, a powerful submarine and surface ship fleet, and extensive sensor systems. Sweden also produces highly capable anti-tank weapons such as the NLAW and AT4, which have been sent by Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom to the front lines of the war in Ukraine.

The relationship between NATO and Sweden is not a new one. Sweden began cooperating with NATO in 1994, through the Partnership for Peace program, and in 2014, Sweden was granted enhanced opportunities partner status, which affords partners the closest level of cooperation, short of being a member. Sweden has participated in NATO missions since 1995, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Libya.

This American-Swedish bond extends all the way to Indiana. As an American and senior leader at Saab, a Swedish defense and technology company with a growing presence in the Hoosier state, I’ve seen firsthand the shared values that Sweden will bring to NATO. While no two cultures are exactly the same, both countries have a deep appreciation for freedom, democratic government and promoting human rights.

I’ve also seen how Indiana benefits from Swedish investment. The advanced manufacturing facility that we’ve built to produce the aft fuselage of the U.S. Air Force’s new trainer aircraft is truly world-class. The aircraft has benefited from Saab and Boeing’s “breaking the norm” approach to military aircraft design, engineering and production, which saw the preceding T-X aircraft go from concept to first flight in just 36 months.

Our commitment to West Lafayette goes beyond the T-7, however. Saab’s strong relationship with Purdue University extends to the R&D field, and we plan to continue to expand our presence in the area. Beyond Indiana, Saab has programs in-service and under contract with all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including advanced radars on six classes of U.S. Navy ships as well as providing training and simulation to the U.S Marine Corps in multiple locations. This extensive work underscores in real terms the already-established bonds between the two countries.

Senator Todd Young recently said, “as Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has proven, NATO, along with our democratic partners around the world, is more united than ever in opposition to the illegal acts of war waged by President Putin. Expanding NATO to include Finland and Sweden will send a clear message to Vladimir Putin, and any leader that attempts to follow in his path, that the free world stands ready to defend its values and sovereignty.”

I agree. Sweden makes NATO stronger, and a strong NATO means a safe America.

Robert Ulibarri is the Vice President & General Manager of Aerospace Systems at Saab, Inc. in West Lafayette.  Saab, Inc. is headquartered in Syracuse, New York, with locations in West Lafayette, Indiana, Orlando, Florida, Cranston, Rhode Island, Ashburn, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Saab: Swedish NATO membership will make America safer