The United Arab Emirates has awarded Saab a three-year contract to support operations with its air force’s growing fleet of GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.
Announcing the approximately $190 million deal on 22 January, the Swedish company says the arrangement will run until 2026.
“The contract includes maintenance and logistics support, as well as training services,” it says.
Saab describes its GlobalEye as an “advanced multi-domain aerial early precaution and solution with a diversity of active and passive sensors that enable long-term detection and identification of elements in the air, sea and land. ”
The UAE Air Force was the visitor to the launch of the system, first ordering three Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft. He then expanded his commitment to five specimens.
Three GlobalEyes have been handed over so far, with the UAE’s remaining two aircraft both due to be handed over during 2024. The first of those aircraft made its debut flight in modified guise from Saab’s Linkoping site in April 2023, at the start of a flight-test phase.
“This agreement reinforces Saab’s role in ensuring that GlobalEye remains fit to fulfil its mission,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s Surveillance Business Unit. “We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with the UAE Air Force and Air Force Defence and offering long-term local support,” he adds.
Saab also has a contract to convert two of the Global 6000 long-range business jets into GlobalEye for Sweden. Deliveries will begin in 2027.
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