Saab signs contract for third GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft
Sweden is to receive a third Saab 106 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, exercising the first of two options included in the manufacturer’s June 2022…
June 28, 2024
Sweden is to receive a third Saab 106 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, exercising the first of two options included in the manufacturer’s June 2022 contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The order is worth approximately SEK 2.6 billion.
The Swedish government first announced its intentions to procure a third heavily modified Bombardier Global 600 in May of this year, following the donation of its two ASC 890 Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft to Ukraine. At the time, the Swedish ministry of defence admitted “the donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defence capability;” something the new acquisition is intended to address.
Joining the two firm orders placed in June 2022 (with deliveries set for 2027), the GlobalEye aircraft “will provide unique situational awareness of the surroundings as well as the capability of early detection and warning of potential threats in the air, at sea or on land,” commented Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab.
Although the type is yet to be operational in Sweden, the first aircraft has arrived at Saab’s conversion centre and is “under full construction,” confirmed Fredrik Follin, CMO of Saab’s Surveillance business area, in May 2024. The delivery period for the new airframe is stated as 2024-2029, with Saab having previously confirmed the conversion period as approximately three years.
However, the GlobalEye platform is already in service with the United Arab Emirates, with the last of five aircraft set to be delivered later this year. Potential future customers also include South Korea (with a potential announcement to be made in late 2024 or early 2025), with the aircraft described by Folin as the only “presently viable solution in service right now”.
