Swedish defense company Saab has delivered the United Arab Emirates’ fifth and final order of GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft under a $1 billion deal signed in 2015.
The initial contract required the delivery of three aircraft, but the Emirates exercised an option to purchase two additional planes in 2020. The company completed its commitment to supply the UAE’s first three AEW&C solutions in 2020 and 2021 and the fourth in April.
“In close partnership with the UAE Air Force, Saab has developed, produced and delivered a fleet of five state-of-the-art GlobalEye aircraft, all in a period of less than 10 years,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s surveillance business area.
GlobalEye, Saab’s advanced airborne surveillance system, is based on the Bombardier Global 6000 and 6500 families and features the Erieye ER radar with an advanced suit of sensors and a multi-domain command and control system.
The company said the AEW&C aircraft provides long-range maritime, aerial and ground surveillance to support government and military forces with real-time information.
In January, Saab secured a three-year, $190 million contract from the UAE Ministry of Defence to provide maintenance and logistics support and training services for the country’s GlobalEye fleet.