By KUNA
Islamabad : The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Thursday got first of the five airborne early warning and control system aircrafts it ordered from the Swedish Saab in June 2006.
The PAF achieved a major landmark in its Airborne Early Warning Program with the roll out of its first SaaB2000 AEW C in a simple but impressive ceremony at the Saab facility in Sweden, said PAF in a press statement.
The aircraft, equipped with electronic surveillance support systems for intelligence gathering and a full set of defensive aids, will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009, said the statement.
Pakistan signed US 8.3 billion contract with Saab for the AWACS in June 2006 and the aircraft have been specially developed to the PAF’s requirements.
“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”, said Pakistan’s Air Chief, Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, who was the chief guest on the occasion.
He said the achievement of AEW C capability will provide a much needed boost to Pakistan’s security needs.