At the end of April 2020, Saab's defense group stated that they had delivered the first of three Global Eye model aircraft to the United Arab Emirates.

- It took less than five years from contract to delivery. I think it is quickly marched, ”says Saab's Press Manager Ann Wolgers.

Two more copies will be delivered, according to the contract. But Saab doesn't want to give up when.

Saab shows Global Eye surveillance aircraft at Dubai air show in United Arab Emirates November 21, 2019. Photo: EPA, Ali Haider

democracy Clause

Saab's, and thus Sweden's, business contract with the United Arab Emirates has been criticized for many years by, among others, Svenska Freds. This was one of the reasons why the Swedish Export Control Act was tightened in April 2018, when a democracy clause was introduced.

The idea is to be able to stop the export of military equipment to countries that lack democracy and human rights. The situation in the United Arab Emirates has been criticized for decades by human rights organizations.

The Government Offices also stated that there were such deficiencies as late as June 2019, in a report.

New order

But in November 2019, the United Arab Emirates stated that they would like to purchase two more pieces of Global Eye from Saab, in addition to the three that are already contracted.

Saab, however, does not want to state the status of a possible new order, but says there is no contract yet.

- I never comment on our business in detail in the media. We have a good relationship with the customer. says Saab's Press Manager Ann Wolgers.

A deal on two more Global Eye, in addition to the three already contracted - is worth just over one billion dollars (SEK 9.8 billion), Saab stated in its press release in November 2019.

Saab's Press Manager Ann Wolgers. Photo: Saab

State inspection

The Inspection for Strategic Products (ISP) authorizes the export of military equipment. However, the ISP declines to comment on the status of a possible transaction and points out that "the Swedish permit testing is based on an overall assessment based on the government's guidelines and established practice".

- Follow-up deliveries have a special position in the Swedish guidelines. The premise is that permits should be granted if there is no unconditional obstacle, says Mattias Timrén, senior adviser at the Inspection for Strategic Products.