Pakistan Air Force Quitly Induct Advanced SAAB Erieye AEW&C Aircraft

Defense News ,Pakistan :- On January 3rd, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officially unveiled its latest addition to the fleet, a SAAB-2000-based Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, as reported by the Canada-based Pak defense website Quwa.

The newly acquired aircraft, designated as "23-058," was showcased as part of a comprehensive ceremony marking the induction of various aircraft types, including the Chengdu J-10CE Dragon multirole fighters, ex-Belgian Air Force C-130H Hercules airlifters, and other logistics and auxiliary aircraft.

The SAAB Erieye boasts an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA)-based system with a remarkable detection range of up to 450 km. Through data-link connectivity, the Erieye can seamlessly share sensor data with friendly air and ground assets. The system includes five mission operator consoles for effective coordination between the AEW&C and connected air assets, such as fighter aircraft.

With the addition of unit '23-058,' the PAF's Erieye fleet has expanded to seven to nine aircraft. While Quwa visually confirmed seven aircraft, public records list serials for eight active units.

The PAF has acquired the Erieye through three separate orders. The initial order in 2006 for six AEW&Cs (plus one standard SAAB 2000) was valued at $1.15 billion US but was later reduced to four aircraft due to the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. Subsequent orders in 2017 and 2020 further strengthened the PAF's Erieye capabilities.

Despite challenges, including a terrorist attack in 2012 that damaged three out of four aircraft, the PAF successfully restored its Erieye AEW&C fleet to four by 2016. In 2017, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman announced an additional order for three Erieye AEW&C aircraft.

The delivery of 'Batch-II' Erieye AEW&Cs, recorded in export-import logs, was completed in 2019. SAAB later secured a sale in May 2020, delivering Erieye systems between 2020 and 2023, with the PAF confirming its role as the undisclosed buyer through the induction of aircraft with serial numbers '20-057' and '23-058' in December 2023.

Quwa's examination of serial numbers confirms the PAF's possession of seven Erieye systems from the 2006, 2017, and 2020 orders. However, the discrepancy in stated serial records suggests that the PAF currently operates nine Erieye systems.