In November 2019, the United Arab Emirates announced its intention to order two more Global Eye surveillance aircraft from Saab.
They have already ordered three copies - before Sweden tightened the export control law.
Siemon Wezeman at Stockholm's International Peace Research Institute, Sipri, believes that a new deal between Saab and the United Arab Emirates is possible, despite the Swedish law being tightened in 2018. The new law places higher demands on democracy and human rights in countries that buy military equipment from Sweden.
But this is not an obstacle because Sweden has the unique opportunity for consequential deliveries, Wezeman believes.
- You have follow-up deliveries, which is a special Swedish idea. Then all other contracts will be consignment deliveries. In most other countries, the new contract must be seen as a new contract, says Siemon Wezeman.
Furthermore, the situation in the area is the same as when the first contract was signed in 2015. Therefore, a sequential delivery is possible, Wezeman believes.
- I see nothing that can stop it. When they signed the first contract, the United Arab Emirates was already involved in the war in Yemen and nothing has changed that.
Saab orders the aircraft from manufacturer Bombardier in Canada and equips them with electronics for reconnaissance and combat management systems, so the aircraft can be used as an airborne platform with capacity to monitor land, sea and air.
Saab already has an option on two ready-made aircraft at Bombardier, despite the fact that there is no contract with the United Arab Emirates for two more Global Eye.
- The two aircraft are just waiting for the contract. Now they stand there and then Saab has to pay.
The company confirms the task for SVT:
"Yes, when we submit a quotation for a product or solution, we of course make sure in advance that we have access to all the components required," replies Saab's Press Manager Ann Wolgers in an email.
A new contract is worth just over a billion dollars (SEK 9.8 million), according to Saab's data.
- It is common for the Arab states to sign so that they receive 20 to 25 years of support and training. The aircraft should be in service for 20 to 25 years, says Siemon Wezeman.