The first Saab 340 AEW has been presented to Poland (Photo: Saab)
The Polish Government announced in July 2023 it had placed an order for two Saab 340 AEW for approximately SEK600 million ($58 million) to be delivered between 2023 and 2025.
The aircraft is fitted with the Erieye radar and provides a detailed situational picture that can be used for military and civilian tasks including air surveillance and rescue operations.
Different configurations of Saab’s Erieye AEW/AEW&C system have been sold to nine countries, making it one of the most widely used airborne surveillance systems in the world.
The aircraft unveiled was previously built for the Swedish Air Force, which loaned it to the UAE pending delivery of the more advanced GlobalEye to that country.
Saab said in a statement: ‘The fast pace [of delivery] is a result of the efficient collaboration between Saab and the Polish Armed Forces and the fact that Saab has an ongoing production line for airborne early warning solutions.’
The PS-890 Erieye radar features active electronic array scanning which provides 160° on each side with a range of up to 450km. The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CT7-9B turboprops each producing 1870hp.
The consortium has given details on the next-generation of sensing and jamming capabilities on the Eurofighter Typhoon without needing to update the airframe, according to the group’s partners.
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
At the G20 summit in Brazil, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a nod given to potentially widening the participation out to other countries.
UK defence secretary John Healey has announced the cancellation and decommissioning of naval and air force platforms to enable the government to “re-invest money in the armed forces” ahead of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
BAE Systems Air business has reaffirmed its commitment to the Typhoon programme as union representatives from the company urge the UK government to order 24 Typhoon jets.
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