Sweden eyes Saab GlobalEye
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).
During a Saab media briefing on Finland's HX programme, the minister made the aforementioned remarks while noting opportunities for Finland should the Ilmavoimat (Finnish Air Force) select the offered combination of the Saab 39E/F Gripen and the GlobalEye as a wider set of capabilities. However, he stressed that no formal Swedish decision on the GlobalEye procurement has been made.
On 14 October 2020, the Swedish Ministry of Defence (MoD) published a 181-page document outlining the defence bill for the period 2021-2025. Scramble Magazine 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 the GlobalEye is a very interesting alternative, and a Swedish product. So it seems that the procurement of the Global 6000 GlobalEye AEW&C is highly likely.
Photo: Flygvapnet