Sweden starts purchasing process for Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft

Saab GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The Swedish Armed Forces have submitted a formal application to the government for the acquisition of the Saab GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, the Swedish Defense Ministry said on 1 October.

This news was expected for months as Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist revealed the Armed Forces plan to introduce the GlobalEye earlier this year. Saab's modern AEW&C platform had already been budgeted, this formal request kicks off the purchasing process.

“The Armed Forces has submitted a request to the government with a formal request for an authorization to purchase the airborne radar reconnaissance and command system GlobalEye,” the Armed Forces said. “The Armed Forces has previously budgeted to purchase new radar reconnaissance and command aircraft. The petition that has now been sent to the government is a start to the process of purchasing these.”

The GlobalEye is intended to replace the two old Saab S100D Argus (340AEW) aircraft in the Swedish Air Force fleet.

As soon as the aircraft is introduced, Sweden will become the second operator of the type. Saab is already delivering five GlobalEyes to the UAE ordered with three separate contracts in 2015, 2017 and 2021.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Image: Saab