IRIA News

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force has acquired the fifth and final GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft from Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab.

The delivery marks the conclusion of an agreement made in 2015, in which the UAE ordered a fleet of these highly advanced airborne surveillance systems to bolster its defense capabilities.

The latest aircraft was delivered just five months after the UAE Air Force received its fourth GlobalEye AEW&C at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating Saab’s efficiency and commitment to completing the order. The series of deliveries began in 2020 following five years of production, development, and rigorous flight testing.

Saab’s role in AEW&C technology

Carl-Johan Bergholm, Saab’s head of surveillance operations, emphasized the significance of the accomplishment. He stated, “Completing the delivery in under 10 years underscores the company’s position as a leading provider of AEW&C platforms.” This achievement highlights the role Saab plays on the global stage in the highly specialized domain of airborne surveillance and threat detection systems.

Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C is pitched as an advanced “multi-domain platform,” offering a combination of active and passive sensors that provide a holistic and real-time view of the battlefield. The aircraft is designed to operate in the air, on land, and at sea, making it a versatile tool in a modern defense framework.

GlobalEye AEW&C

The GlobalEye aircraft is built to handle a variety of mission profiles, particularly focusing on enhancing situational awareness for military units in high-threat environments. The aircraft is equipped with the Erieye Extended Range radar system, which can detect and track aerial and surface threats at long distances, providing early warning of enemy movements and potential hazards.

Some of the key technical specifications of the GlobalEye include:

• Endurance: The aircraft can fly for up to 11 hours, allowing it to cover vast distances and provide continuous surveillance over extended periods.
• Operating Altitude: It operates at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet, allowing it to scan vast areas below, including threats as low as 200 feet off the ground or sea.
• Sensors: The aircraft features both active and passive sensors that can gather data across multiple domains, including ground, air, and maritime environments. This multi-sensor suite enables real-time data transmission to other units, providing critical insights for strategic military decisions.
• Situational Awareness: The main function of the GlobalEye is to enhance situational awareness by detecting, identifying, and tracking threats, thereby enabling informed decision-making for military operations.

The UAE’s acquisition of the GlobalEye fleet is being seen as a major enhancement to the country’s defense capabilities. As the only air force to solely operate the GlobalEye system, the UAE Air Force is now equipped with cutting-edge technology that provides them with a strategic advantage in monitoring and responding to potential threats.

GlobalEye’s ability to integrate information from land, air, and sea makes it an indispensable tool for securing the UAE’s borders and monitoring the rapidly evolving security landscape in the region. The platform’s ability to operate across various domains offers a significant boost to the country’s ability to manage complex situations, from military engagements to humanitarian missions.

In addition to providing the UAE with an unparalleled surveillance capability, GlobalEye enhances joint operations with international partners, particularly in the realms of counter-terrorism and border security.

Future GlobalEye aircraft orders

While the UAE remains the only confirmed operator of the GlobalEye system at present, other nations have shown interest in the technology. Sweden, Saab’s home country, has already placed an order for three GlobalEye aircraft, with deliveries expected between 2024 and 2029. This order highlights the increasing demand for AEW&C systems capable of operating across multiple domains, a field in which Saab is now considered a global leader.

Saab is optimistic about prospects for the GlobalEye platform. The versatility, endurance, and cutting-edge technology that the system offers make it a highly attractive option for nations seeking to upgrade their early warning and surveillance capabilities in the face of modern security challenges.

As global security threats continue to evolve, the advanced capabilities of the GlobalEye platform will likely play a critical role in both regional and international security for years to come.