DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates Air Force has announced a deal for two early warning aircraft worth $1.27 billion with Saab Defense and Security.
The Swedish made early warning sensors will be fitted in to the Bombardier Global 6000 platform, said Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al Hashimi, UAE Ministry of Defence executive director of strategic analysis.
Saab CEO and President Håkan Buskhe described the technology present on the aircraft as a "game changer for early warning systems."
The technology onboard the Global 6000 has increased endurance from the previous version, Buskhe said, adding that the sensor suite was developed and upgraded from its previous version. The UAE will be the first user of this design.
"The early warning aircraft will have a full swing role for air to air, air to ground and air to sea surveillance," Bushke said.
"The sensor systems in development were tested in many platforms but we found that the Global 6000 was the best one," he added.
A delivery date, Al Hashimi said, has not been decided upon.
The deal between Saab and the UAE, which was penned Sunday at the Dubai Airshow, included upgrades to two previously purchased Saab 340 aircraft equipped with Erieye active-array radars that can scan large airspace volumes, and with related command and control systems.
In November 2009, the UAE purchased two Saab 340 regional turboprops worth $220 million.
"This is a boost for our surveillance capabilities and it aligns with our ongoing strategy," Al Hashimi said.
Analysts have identified early warning systems as a gap in GCC capabilities.
Email: amustafa@defensenews.com
Twitter: @Awadz
Awad Mustafa was a Middle East and Africa correspondent for Defense News.
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