Sweden’s Defence Minister, Peter Hultqvist, confirmed that the Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) is committed to the Global 6000 GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR).
The Swedish Armed Forces has made a formal request to procure the Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft on 1 October.
The request, which came some eight months after Janes first reported the country’s intent in February, is geared at finding a replacement for the Swedish Air Force (SwAF’s) two ageing Saab 340 (ASC 890) Erieye platforms.
“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 in a statement. “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 statement did not disclose aircraft numbers, proposed contract values, or delivery timelines.
On 1 October 2021, the Swedish Ministry of Defence (MoD) published a 181-page document outlining the defence bill for the period 2021-2025. GDC reported on the proposed large increase in Swedish Defence Budget on 18 October 2020. One of the most pressing needs is a new airborne early warning and control system, as the current Airborne Surveillance & Control (ASC) Saab S100D aircraft are overworked and ageing.
A decision on their replacement is due to be made in the 2021-25 period, with the acquisition to be completed after 2025. The two S102B Korpen SIGINT modified Gulfstream IVs are to be maintained, with no replacement plans to be made until after 2025.
The Defence minister specifically mentioned that GlobalEye is an exciting alternative and a Swedish product. It seems that the procurement of the Global 6000 GlobalEye AEW&C is highly likely.
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