FAP – Portuguese Air Force
Hunting Lockheed Martin F-16 of the Portuguese Air Force
A new survey reveals that 73% of the Swedish companies operating in Portugal anticipate activity growth this year. SAAB is betting on providing fighters to the Air Force.
Portugal continues to attract foreign investment with Swedish companies to integrate one of the main gamblers in our economy. According to the Business Climate Survey driven by Business Sweden, Sweden Embassy in Lisbon and Luso-Sueca Chamber of Commerce, Swedish companies reveal a growing optimism As for the evolution of the national economy.
The study, conducted between February and March 2025, indicates that 73% of Swedish companies in Portugal They expect an increase in their activity this year – significant growth compared to the 57% recorded in 2023. Moreover, 51% plan to increase investment in the country by 2025, especially those who arrived after 2020, of which 68% predicts reinforcing their presence.
Sweden Ambassador in Portugal, Elizabeth Eklund, stresses that “Portugal offers a very attractive scenario”, Highlighting factors such as clean energies, robust infrastructure, qualified labor and domain of English. Jennifer Ekström, Mayor of Luso-Sueca Chamber of Commerce, praises the National Ecosystem of Startups, Accelerators and Sectoral Incentives.
Swedish companies are present in various sectors – from health to fintech, through safety, energy and consumer goods. The bet on renewable energy remains strong, with examples such as the installation of a wave energy converter by Corpoker in Viana do Castelo and the acquisition of the Neves-Corvo Mine by Boliden, says.
But the news is in the growing interest in the defense sector. The manufacturer Saab has participated in events such as the Aed Days and aims to propose its Gripen fighters to replace the F-16 of the Portuguese Armed Forces. This operation could face competition from the American Lockheed Martin, which offers the F-35.
This positive environment is expected to translate into more qualified employment and broader economic cooperation between Portugal and Sweden. “We want to continue this trajectory and extend this cooperation to more areascontributing to the creation of wealth in Portugal ”, concludes the ambassador Eklund.
