Pakistan Receives Final Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C from Saab

5 months ago Editor

Saab has delivered the last Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft to Pakistan, completing an order that enhances the Pakistan Air Force’s surveillance and combat coordination capabilities.

The Swedish aerospace company Saab has completed the delivery of the last Saab 2000 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to Pakistan. This final unit arrived at Minhas Air Base on July 2, 2024, marking the culmination of an order that strengthens Pakistan’s air surveillance capabilities.

This addition brings the total number of Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to nine, all of which are actively engaged in patrolling the border with India. The newly delivered aircraft will join the 3rd Airborne Early Warning Squadron, enhancing coordination with combat aircraft stationed at the base.

Pakistan initially signed a contract with Saab in 2006 for six of these sophisticated surveillance aircraft. However, economic challenges reduced the order to four. Subsequent orders in 2017 and 2020 added six more units. The PAF’s continued investment in these aircraft underscores their strategic importance, particularly amid rising tensions with India.

In response to these tensions, Pakistan’s defense strategy includes significant procurement of advanced weaponry, including modern fighters. Pakistani pilots have commenced training on Chinese fifth-generation J-31 fighters, which are expected to significantly bolster the PAF’s capabilities.