NEW DELHI. Ola Ringnell has been appointed new Chairman & Managing Director of Saab India Technology Pvt Ltd (SITPL). He replaces Jan Widerstorm, who has taken the new responsibilities in Sweden. Prior to the new assignment, Ola was heading Saab’s Malaysian unit.

The new appointment will further Saab’s long-term commitment to the India, where a high degree of company activities is on.

“Ola has the experience and the expertise which will enable Saab to further strengthen our work in the country and take forward our unbroken relationship of over 40 years. We are committed to building next-generation defence and security capabilities in India. Together with Indian government and industry, we would like to develop new ways to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Dean Rosenfield, Head of Saab Market Area Asia Pacific, said.

The new India head has long experience of partnership with international armed forces and engagement with their defence and security needs. A former pilot with the Swedish Air Force, Ola has been deeply involved in Sweden’s Gripen programme, with responsibility for testing weapons, avionics, engine performance and human/machine interfaces.

Ola has logged more than 2,500 flight hours on different Swedish fighters including Draken, Viggen and Gripen, and on other combat aircraft such as the F-16, Tornado, Hawk and Harrier. He has logged more than 1,500 flight hours on civilian flight operations, and holding a Commercial Pilot Licence and has been rated on a host of different aircraft from the Beechcraft King Air to the Gulfstream G550. Ola is a member and fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Ola Ringnell exercised the responsibility of Saab project pilot in the US/Swedish Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) Endeavour, working with the Swedish Air Force, FMV, USAF, NASA and Lockheed Martin. He earlier served as Saab’s Director of Business Development, Aviation Training and Business Area Support and Services.