Aircraft

Saab has announced receipt of a roughly SKr1.5 billion ($218 million) contract to supply the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence with two Saab 340-based airborne early warning and control system aircraft.

Announced on 17 November, the sale of the Saab Microwave Systems Erieye radar-equipped turboprops followed reports at the Dubai air show that the UAE was poised to order a gap-filler surveillance capability while it looks to conduct longer-term assessments on larger designs, such as one based on the Boeing 737 airliner.

"The [Saab 340] system will provide a detailed situational picture that can be used in conjunction with, for example, border control and rescue operations," says Saab. Its contract also covers the provision of associated ground equipment and logistics support.

© Saab
The Swedish air force was the first customer for the Erieye-equipped Saab 340

Saab chief executive Åke Svensson says the company's contract follows "several years" of discussions over the supply of airborne surveillance equipment. It also follows other good news for the manufacturer, which late last week performed the first flight of a Saab 340-based AEW aircraft for export buyer Thailand.

The Erieye radar has previously been integrated onto the Embraer EMB-145 regional airliner for customers including Brazil and Greece, and is undergoing final system testing aboard a Saab 2000 turboprop for launch customer the Pakistan air force.