The defense group Saab has signed a contract for the airborne sensor system Saab 2000 Erieye AEW & C. The order amount amounts to just over SEK 1.5 billion according to Saab.

The Erieye model is older than Saab's new Global Eye surveillance aircraft, the first of which was delivered to the United Arab Emirates at the end of April 2020.

The older airborne surveillance platform Erieye also uses another aircraft body, Saab 2000, instead of Bombardier Global 6000.

The reputed British defense information company Janes states that it is probably one of Saab's previous buyers of the system that made the order. They name Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as two potential customers.

Pakistan Air Force shows Saab's surveillance aircraft Erieye after it was delivered on December 29, 2009. Photo: AP

Sipri: "Can be Pakistan"

Researcher Siemon Wezeman at Stockholm's International Peace Research Institute Sipri also makes a similar assessment. He points out Pakistan because they already have Erieye.

- It is not certain who is now buying the Saab-2000 AEW, but it may be Pakistan. They have previously purchased the Saab-2000 AEW.

Saabs does not want to disclose information about the deal other than in the press release on Monday when the agreement was signed, according to Saab's press officer Ann Wolgers.

- We do not provide information about the customer for this order, she tells SVT News.

According to Saab, delivery to the secret recipient will take place in 2020 to 2023.