By IRNA
Islamabad : Swedish defence major Saab on Thursday delivered the first of five airborne early warning and control system aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the PAF said.
The first Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft for the PAF was rolled out in Sweden and prepared for flight trials by the year end after being equipped with a full suite of mission systems, including radars and avionics.
“Pakistan Air Force achieved a major landmark in its Airborne Early Warning Program with the roll out of its first SAAB 2000 AEW&C in a simple but impressive ceremony at the Saab facility in Sweden,” a PAF statement said.
The aircraft will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009, according to officials.
PAF plans to have a fleet of five SAAB 2000 Erieye aircraft.
Pakistan signed a contract with Saab for the AWACS in June 2006 and the aircraft have been specially developed to PAF’s requirements.
The aircraft will also be equipped with electronic surveillance support systems for intelligence gathering and a full set of defensive aids.
The project merges Saab’s 2000 turboprop aircraft with Ericsson’s Erieye radar system.
Pakistan’s Air Chief, Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion said, “The acquisition of airborne early warning capability by the PAF would greatly enhance PAF’s defensive capability and was an essential part of its modernization efforts.”
He further said, “The achievement of AEW & C capability will provide a much needed boost to Pakistan’s security needs.” “This ceremony is considered an important milestone which ensures timely procurement of state-of-the-art technology of ERIEYE radar onboard Saab 2000 aircraft to PAF,’ the statement said.