Saab intends to offer modified business jets to answer two forthcoming Polish requirements for new maritime patrol and electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.

Warsaw will shortly launch a pair of tenders – Rybitwa, or tern, for the maritime patrol platform and Płomykówka, barn owl, for the signals intelligence aircraft.

The Swedish manufacturer used this week's MSPO exhibition in Kielce to highlight its Swordfish maritime patrol offering, which is based on the Bombardier Global 6000. It also uses the same platform for its GlobalEye EW aircraft.

"We want to participate in both programmes. We chose the Global 6000 jet because of its extremely long range. Our solution is modular and can be used for all tasks required by Poland's defence ministry," says Örjan Andersson, sales director, airborne ISR at Saab.

Andersson says the airframer could incorporate Polish-built mission equipment into either platform and has begun initial conversations with local industry.

"Saab is able to support Polish industry with the necessary know-how about system operations, maintenance and future modification to the maximum extent," he says.

Bombardier and CAE will train flightcrews, with Saab responsible for the instruction of mission system operators.

Source: FlightGlobal.com