Saab has signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense. The contract, valued at approximately $190 million, mandates Saab to provide logistics and training support for the UAE’s GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) fleet.
Spanning three years and extending into 2026, the agreement covers essential maintenance, logistics support, and a range of training services.
The contract shows Saab’s commitment to ensuring the operational readiness of the GlobalEye fleet, a key asset in the UAE’s military capabilities.
Defence partnership
Carl-Johan Bergholm, the head of Saab’s surveillance business area, highlighted the importance of this partnership, emphasising Saab’s dedication to long-term local support and strengthening ties with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.
The GlobalEye AEW&C system is a step forward in multi-domain surveillance technology.
Equipped with active and passive sensors, it provides detection and identification of airborne, maritime, and terrestrial threats.
The system enhances situational awareness and early threat detection for air, land, and naval forces.
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Long-term development
The initial contract for three units was signed between the UAE and Saab in 2015.
This contract included an option for two additional units, exercised in January 2021, bringing the order’s total value to over $1 billion.
By 2025, the UAE plans to operate a fleet of five GlobalEye aircraft, offering the flexibility of continuous airborne coverage or deploying two aircraft for shorter missions as required.
