Sweden orders GlobalEye Early Warning aircraft from Saab
Defence Materiel Administration have ordered GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C) aircraft from the local airline and space company Saab.
Valued at SEK 7.3 billion ($ 711 million), the agreement requires the company to deliver two GlobalEye aircraft by 2027.
According to the company, the contract also includes an option for two more early warning aircraft for the Swedish Air Force.
The work for the contract will be carried out at Saab’s facilities in Gothenburg, Linköping, Järfälla, Arboga and Luleå.
“World-class ability”
The GlobalEye AEW & C aircraft has a suite of modern active and passive sensors, which provide long-distance detection and identification of objects across several domains.
It is equipped with Erieye Extended Range radar, which has a maximum detection range of 550 kilometers (341.7 miles) and prevents electronic clutter and interference from enemy forces.
The aircraft’s Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar also allows the military to focus on specific areas or targets of interest.
In addition, GlobalEye provides real-time information to military units, increasing their situational awareness and ability to detect threats.
“GlobalEye will provide Sweden with airborne early warning and world-class control capacity,” Saab’s CEO Micael Johansson sa. “Saab’s most important mission is to keep people and communities safe, and I am proud that GlobalEye will further strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces.”
Strengthen the defense capability
Sweden has invested millions of dollars in strengthening its defense capabilities, especially now that it looking to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
In March, the country announced plans to increase military spending with two percent of gross domestic product due to increasing security threats in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Among Stockholm’s latest military investments is procurement of another 24 Archer 155-millimeter mobile howitzers from BAE Systems.
In addition, Sweden has signed its intention to join Finland and Latvia in research and development of 6 × 6 armored vehicles based on the shared requirements of participating nations.