AviationNews – Swedish defense manufacturer Saab has secured a landmark SEK 10.1 billion ($1.04 billion) contract to deliver two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to an undisclosed customer in the Middle East. The new deal reinforces the region’s long-term reliance on advanced multi-domain surveillance to secure regional airspace.
Announced on July 27, 2026, the major acquisition covers the supply of two ultra-long-range sensor platforms with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030. Citing national security interests and military procurement sensitivities, Saab declined to reveal the specific identity of the Middle Eastern buyer. The purchase builds upon growing global demand for the platform, which is already operational within the region following earlier deliveries to the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
Technically, the GlobalEye system integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) S-band radar onto Bombardier’s ultra-long-range Global 6000/6500 business jet platform. Using advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology with gallium nitride components, the radar detects low-signature targets—including stealth aircraft, low-altitude cruise missiles, and small drones—at distances exceeding 650 kilometers. The aircraft offers over 11 to 13 hours of continuous endurance, providing simultaneous real-time situational awareness across air, sea, and land domains.
“This order underscores our commitment to providing customers with mission-proven, multi-domain AEW&C capability,” stated Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “The increasing international interest in GlobalEye reflects its effectiveness and reliability in modern air defence operations.”
As regional defense networks face evolving threats from unmanned systems and standoff missiles, airborne radar nodes are becoming essential for integrated early warning networks. The scheduled 2030 deliveries will ensure the customer nation maintains continuous strategic monitoring and effective command-and-control capabilities for years to come.
The $1.04 billion deal solidifies Saab’s growing presence in the international airborne surveillance sector. By combining long-range sensor performance with high-end business jet efficiency, the GlobalEye AEW&C platform continues to set a key benchmark for modern air defense capabilities.
