France has signed a joint statement of intent with Swedish defence and security company Saab for the supply of two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and associated support elements. The agreement was signed at the Paris Air Show on 2 June and includes an option for France to purchase two additional aircraft.
Details of the Agreement and Expectations
The declaration of intent signed between Sweden’s Saab and the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) covers the sale of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft to France, as well as ground equipment, training and support services. According to a press release from Saab, the Swedish authorities will follow up on the final notification process for the completion of the purchase, while the DGA stated that the contract is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
Commenting on the development, Saab CEO Micael Johansson said: “We welcome France’s announcement of its intention to acquire GlobalEye, which will enhance the French Armed Forces’ situational awareness and threat detection in the air, land and sea domains. Our solution will enable France to maintain full sovereign control over its airborne early warning and control capability.”
GlobalEye AEW&C Highlights
GlobalEye is a multi-domain Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) solution. It provides long-range detection and identification of objects in the air, at sea and on the ground using a mix of modern active and passive sensors. Based on the Global 6000/6500 aircraft family from Bombardier, GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with an advanced sensor suite and a multi-domain Command and Control (C2) system.
Ideally suited for special mission applications, the long-range business jet features:
- More than 11 hours of durability
- Range value over 550 km
- Improved airport performance (Suitable for use at airports smaller than 6500 ft.)
- Self-protection package
Operating at an altitude of 35.000 feet, GlobalEye is capable of detecting low-level threats at ranges exceeding 458 km (247 nautical miles). (Ground-based radars can detect this range at 152 km.)
