SAAB HAS appointed Martin P. Büsser to head up the Saab Gripen team in Switzerland. Martin, previously Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ruag Aviation, assumed his position on October 1.

The main task for Martin will be to lead Saab’s participation in the on-going procurement of new fighter aircraft for the Swiss Air Force. This includes supporting industrial co-operation with Swiss industry, partner companies and science.

Martin has extensive experience and a broad network in the Swiss economy, especially in the defence industry, but also in politics and administration. In his previous function as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and member of the Executive Board of RUAG Aviation, he was responsible for worldwide sales, business development, marketing & communications and commercial services.

“Martin Büsser has a demonstrated experience and understanding of how to navigate the defence industry’s unique market conditions. Under Martin’s leadership and guidance, Saab will be well positioned to make our candidacy for the new Swiss fighter aircraft a success”, says Magnus Lewis Olsson, head of Saab market area Europe.

Martin was educated at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, management, technology and economics. He began his career in 1990 within the Oerlikon-Bührle Group, where he held positions in the USA and Italy before returning to Switzerland to focus on M&A and Corporate Finance. In 1998, Martin moved to Pilatus Flugzeugwerke AG and was part of the PC-21 program leadership from development to market introduction. In 2007, he joined RUAG Aviation, where he was responsible for the development of the international business and the leading organizational and capacity development in the aviation markets.

Saab in Switzerland

Saab has invested in Swiss defence industry during the past decade and is committed to be a long-term partner to the Swiss industry and to the Swiss Armed Forces and has develop a substantial supply change of sub supplier across the country.

Swiss subsidiaries currently include Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland in Thun and part ownership of SN Technologies in Geneva and UMS Skeldar in Möhlin. The installed base in Switzerland includes civilian air traffic management, aircraft mission computers, helicopter self protection systems, antitank missiles, large calibre ammunition and military vehicle electronics.