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Ericsson agrees to sell its defense business to Saab

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  •         Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) agrees to sell its defense business, Ericsson Microwave Systems AB, and its 40 percent holding in Saab Ericsson Space to Saab.
  •         Ericsson will retain the National Security and Public Safety business.
  •         The purchase price is SEK 3.8 b. in cash.
  •         The agreement involves transfer of approximately 1,250 employees.
  •         The transaction is expected to close in September 2006.
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    Ericsson Microwave Systems (EMW) is a leading provider of radar, command and control systems for defense applications. In the product portfolio are e.g. the weapon locating system Arthur, the air surveillance system Giraffe and the operational airborne surveillance system Erieye.


    The Ericsson defense business, that Saab is acquiring, had sales of approximately SEK 2 b. in 2005 with good profitability. In addition to the National Security and Public Safety business, Ericsson will retain parts of the Power Systems business. The retained units employ around 300 individuals.


    Saab is one of the world's leading high-tech companies, with its main operations in defense, aviation, space and civil security. In 2005, total annual sales amounted to SEK 19 b.


    Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: "We are very pleased with this agreement since it gives EMW and its employees good possibilities to expand growth through Saab's strong market presence. Also, the EMW employees will now belong to a company with this area as a core business."


    A long period of co-operation and a strong future combination
    Saab and EMW have co-operated closely for a number of years. The co-operation has included Erieye and JAS 39 Gripen. The integration of EMW's advanced radar and sensor systems creates new and long-term business opportunities for Saab. 


    Svanberg says: "The advanced radar development focusing on defense customers has today less synergies with Ericsson's core business. As a result of the agreement, we will strengthen our focus on telecommunications. We are also very confident about the future prospects for the National Security and Public Safety area, which will remain within Ericsson, where the development has just recently started to take off."


    Åke Svensson, CEO, Saab Group, says: "We are delighted to welcome EMW's very talented employees to Saab. EMW makes a perfect fit into our business and we foresee good growth opportunities going forward for the strong combined product offering."


    Furthermore, Ericsson and Saab intend to evaluate opportunities for a future co-operation between the two companies, within the area of National Security and Public Safety where the companies' relative strengths are complementary.
     
    Financial impacts
    The results of EMW are currently reported within Other Operations, after the transaction, the results of the retained activities will instead be reported as part of the Systems Segment.


    The expected capital gain of approximately SEK 3 b. is of similar magnitude as the previously announced restructuring costs, mainly related to the Marconi acquisition and the Career Change Offer in Sweden, giving a neutral effect on Ericsson's income after financial items for 2006.


    Other
    The agreement also includes Ericsson's 20 percent ownership in the IG JAS consortia, Ericsson's shares in the joint ventures Thales EAW Systems and Ericsson Saab Surveillance Systems AB. Saab will also take over Ericsson's ownership in Saab Ericsson Space AB.


    The agreement is subject to approvals from relevant competition and defense authorities.


    Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.
     
     
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
     
    Media
    Ericsson Media Relations
    Phone: 46 8 719 69 92


    Investors
    Ericsson Investor Relations
    Phone: +46 8 719 00 00

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