Swedish Air Force GlobalEye to be based at Uppsala
On 15 May 2024, Swedish Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman announced that the new S106 GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) will be based with Uppland Wing (F16) at Uppsala Air Base.
According to Jonas Wikman, the decision to base the AEW&C aircraft at Uppsala results from a thorough analysis on how to ensure high operational effectiveness with the S106 over an extended period. This analysis considered several factors, including infrastructure, organisation with recruitment conditions, and environmental conditions. It was prepared by all departments within the Air Staff and compiled based on feedback from all organisational units in the Air Force.
On 30 June 2022, Saab announced that the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) had placed an order for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, with an option for two more. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2027. The GlobalEye can operate up to eleven-hour AEW&C missions and will conduct air, sea, and ground surveillance operations.
In October 2020, the Swedish Ministry of Defence (MoD) published a 181-page document outlining the defense bill for the period 2021-2025. One of the most pressing needs was a new airborne early warning and control system, as the current Airborne Surveillance & Control (ASC) Saab S100D aircraft are overworked and ageing. The two S102B Korpen SIGINT modified Gulfstream IVs are to be maintained, with no replacement plans until after 2025.
Credit photo: Saab