Saab strengthens AEW&C bid with Korea Aerospace Industries agreement
Saab’s GlobalEye is one of three main aircraft contenders vying for South Korea’s AEW&C contract. (Photo: Saab)
Saab’s proposal for South Korea is its GlobalEye aircraft. This MoU between the two companies is the latest update in Saab’s bid for South Korea’s competition for a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Saab and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) around airborne early warning technology, focused on the GlobalEye platform. If selected, the MoU will reportedly allow for KAI to support Saab to deliver its GlobalEye to the South Korean Air Force for the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) II programme.
Specifically, the MoU related to the transformation of the Global 6500 business jet into a GlobalEye AEW&C special mission aircraft, which includes airframe and aerodynamic modifications, testing, integration and training and technical assistance.
According to Saab, the arrangement would also include the transfer of technology between KAI and Saab, acting as potential follow on for future AEW&C needs in South Korea and domestic programmes.
“This MoU between Saab and KAI will increase critical radar technology competence, and create domestic capability and self-sustainability to secure strategic independence for the Republic of Korea in the airborne surveillance segment,” said Markus Borgljung, vice president of Saab’s Business Area Surveillance.
As noted by Shephard Defence Insight, Saab is one of three companies competing for the contract, against rival OEM’s Boeing’s 737and L3Harris’, in co-operation with Korean Air and Israel Aerospace Industries, Bombardier Global 6500.
Currently, South Korea owns and operates four Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft, delivered in 2011–12.
Speaking to Shephard, Cazim Redzovic, campaign director – GlobalEye for South Korea, said: “We believe that the MoU with KAI makes for a compelling offer for the South Korean AEW&C II competition given both the outstanding capabilities of GlobalEye combined with a unrivalled transfer of technology offer that the MoU encapsulates. The proposal we have submitted we believe meets their needs across all criteria.”
While the MoU will give Saab the chance to work on South Korea’s needs in the future, “for now the AEW&C II competition is our primary focus,”, Redzovic added.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Turkey’s Baykar strengthens European links with Leonardo and Piaggio Aerospace deals]()
Turkey’s Baykar strengthens European links with Leonardo and Piaggio Aerospace deals
Recent collaborations with Italian aerospace and defence firms have bolstered Baykar’s links throughout Europe and strengthened its credibility as an important player on the continental stage.
-
![Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025]()
Embraer “confident” as C-390 and A-29 production ramps up in 2025
Embraer chief commercial officer Frederico Lemos said that it was aiming to produce more than 10 of its C-390 multi-mission aircraft a year by 2030, with some A-29 aircraft already allocated and ready for delivery.
-
![Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss]()
Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg indicated ongoing improvements were being made in its defence programmes going forwards, despite being affected in Q4 by cost pressures, higher manufacturing costs and the impact of the IAM strike.
