JF-17 fighter fills expanding niche in a competitive geopolitical market
With orders from three countries, 2024 is unlikely to be the last of the export years for the joint Pakistan-Chinese fighter jet.
Saab announced on 18 May that it has received an order from an unnamed customer for its Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C solution, under a SEK1.55 billion ($158.37 million) contract.
An undisclosed number of aircraft will be delivered between 2020 and 2023.
Saab will carry out the work in Sweden at sites in Arboga, Gothenburg, Järfälla, Linköping and Luleå.
The AEW&C system comprises the Saab 2000 aircraft equipped with the Swedish company’s Erieye airborne radar and a range of other sensors.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, launch customer Pakistan took delivery of four aircraft between 2009 and 2010. Three of these were damaged in a 2012 terrorist attack, including one which was written off. The two remaining aircraft were repaired locally and returned to service.
Pakistan ordered three more Saab 2000 Erieyes in 2017 for $152 million. The final aircraft in this order was delivered to the Pakistan Air Force in April 2019.
In 2014, Saudi Arabia took delivery of two Saab 2000 Erieyes modified from secondhand Swedish transport aircraft.
With orders from three countries, 2024 is unlikely to be the last of the export years for the joint Pakistan-Chinese fighter jet.
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