Sweden in 1940, neutral and surrounded by warring countries, was left with only a few planes. Some Gloster "Gladiators" had been given to Finland, which was fighting with the USSR on a pretty losing streak. Italy delivered C.R 42 and Reggiane 2000 biplanes, out of 120 Seversky P-35A aircraft ordered, only 60 arrived. Something had to be done. Thus, SAAB (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget) was the first aircraft to develop these dive bombers, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, which were available from December 1941.