FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
Canada has signed a nonbinding term sheet with Saab that establishes the framework for detailed negotiations over six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The proposed fleet would be based on the Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500, but no firm order has been signed.
SAAB
Latest source-backed stories
Canada has signed a nonbinding term sheet with Saab that establishes the framework for detailed negotiations over six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The proposed fleet would be based on the Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500, but no firm order has been signed.
High activity
Saab says its RBS15 Mk4 anti-ship missile is ready for operational introduction with Sweden’s Gripen fighters, while the company signs space-focused MoUs with SSC Space, OHB Sweden and Ericsson. Separately, India has ordered additional SAT-SAAW glide bombs for its air force.
Saab is pursuing a larger role in the space sector by integrating technologies and services from multiple companies into complete systems. The Swedish defense group signed cooperation agreements with SSC Space, OHB Sweden and Ericsson, extending its aerospace ambitions beyond traditional defense activities.
High activity
The Netherlands has signed a letter of intent for one Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, its first national AEW&C capability. The aircraft is planned for delivery in 2031 and operation with Sweden’s three GlobalEyes through shared aircraft, crews and procedures, supporting a future multinational NATO capability.
High activity
Sweden has awarded Saab a SEK 2.9 billion ($303 million) contract covering demonstrators, advanced studies and manned-unmanned concepts for a future combat-air system. The work will support national decisions on Sweden’s air-combat capabilities beyond 2040 and move the program into its next phase.
Saab says potential customers are interested in pairing General Atomics’ LoyalEye surveillance system, mounted on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, with its piloted GlobalEye airborne early-warning aircraft. The concept would combine uncrewed and manned surveillance capabilities in a single operational package.
High activity
Ukraine says Sweden-donated Saab ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft have begun combat operations, supplying surveillance data to Ukrainian F-16, Mirage 2000 and Gripen fighters. The deployment marks the aircraft’s operational debut and adds an airborne battle-management capability to Ukraine’s defenses.
Saab is developing Project Skynapse, an AI-augmented, simulator-based approach intended to “gamify” Gripen fighter training. The effort points to a shift in how combat-aircraft operators could learn and practice, using simulation and artificial intelligence to make training more engaging and adaptive.
Create a free account to see more recent SAAB stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
