Saab announced on June 27, 2024, that it has signed a new contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver a third GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to Sweden.
This order stems from an option in Saab’s June 2022 contract with FMV, which initially covered two GlobalEye aircraft with provisions for two additional units. The aircraft were acquired to replace two Saab 340 AEW aircraft of the Swedish Air Force. The delivery will span from 2024 to 2029 for an order valued at approximately SEK2.6 billion (€250 million).
“We are proud to contribute to Sweden’s defence with another GlobalEye aircraft, which will provide unique situational awareness of the surroundings as well the capability of early detection and warning of potential threats in the air, at sea or on land,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
The GlobalEye aircraft is derived from the Bombardier Global Express 6000 business jet. It is equipped with an Erieye active antenna synthetic aperture radar mounted on top of the fuselage. The radar has a range exceeding 550 kilometers (341 miles) and is equipped for early warning and control across air, sea, and land.
In May 2024, Sweden announced it would donate two Saab ASC 890 Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft to bolster Ukraine’s air defense.