BAE Systems moved ahead on Tuesday with its plan to loosen links with Saab, announcing details of the sale of some 14 per cent of the Swedish defence group.

The British weapons manufacturer said in early December it would take a knife to the 35 per cent stake it took in Saab in 1998 for ?269m ($513m). On Tuesday it re-emphasised the surgery would fall short of amputation for now but its statement that it ?currently intends? to retain it remaining holding as ?a long-term investment? was less than definitive.