Saab has received a contract worth around SKr1.1 billion ($132 million) to provide airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system equipment to an undisclosed customer.
“Deliveries will be made from 2016 until 2018,” the Swedish company said on 30 May. “Further information about the customer will not be announced,” it adds.
Saab says the selected AEW&C system could be used during border surveillance and search and rescue missions, “and for tackling terrorism and organised crime”. The project will involve its surveillance and support and services business areas, it confirms.
More than 20 surveillance aircraft equipped with Saab’s Erieye AEW radar are operational around the globe, with host platforms the company’s own 340 and 2000 turboprops as well as Embraer’s ERJ-145. The operators are Brazil, Greece, Mexico, Pakistan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and another undisclosed user, which Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database identifies as Saudi Arabia.
The company in November secured an order to convert two Bombardier Global 6000 business jets to a GlobalEye “swing-role” AEW&C and surveillance configuration for the UAE. That deal is worth $1.27 billion.
Speaking this month, Micael Johansson, the head of Saab’s surveillance business area, said it is aiming to secure half of the orders for AEW&C aircraft within the market accessible to the company. Due to the strategic nature of such assets, customers typically buy between two and four units, he added during a 12 May webcast presentation.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
