SHAH ALAM: Saab on July 25 announced that it has received an order for two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning aircraft from Poland. The order value is SEK600 million or US$58 million or RM264 million. The contract period is from 2023 to 2025.
The release from Saab:
Saab has received an order from Poland’s Ministry of National Defence for two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. The order value is approximately SEK 600 million and the contract period is 2023-2025.
These early warning systems comprise the Saab 340 aircraft equipped with Saab’s advanced Erieye radar. The contract also includes ground equipment as well as in-country logistics and support services.
“Saab has had a strong relationship with the Polish Ministry of National Defence for many years. We are proud to further strengthen Poland’s Armed Forces with our airborne early warning and network-based solutions,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
Saab 340 AEW, together with associated ground equipment, 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.
Based on the above order, one can assume if RMAF pushed forward its AEW requirement, we could have two AEW aircraft at a lower price than the two MPA. The only difference is of course that the Saab 340 aircraft will be second hand aircraft as they stopped building it some time back.
It must be noted that under the RMAF CAP 55 plan, the AEW will only be procured after 2030. It is unlikely that the Saab 340 airframes will no longer be available for AEW conversion by that time. That said I stand to be corrected of course.
It is likely that the lower cost of the Saab 340 AEW is due to the airframe being an ex-Swedish or UAE airframes. Both air forces are now converting to the more expensive and newer, Saab GlobalEye AEW.
Saab had offered RMAF with the Gripen C/D and 340 AEW as part of their campaign for the now suspended MRCA programme. Even though it was the cheapest option for the MRCA, the Gripen never get past the initial assessment section of the MRCA programme. As I had reported before, the Dassault Rafale was to be the MRCA for RMAF.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (64)
It’s no problems IMHO if the RMAF wants to install the SAAB AEW on ATRs, so maybe that’s the way to go.
We will need to pay the integration cost if we want to install it on a new aircraft.
"As I had reported before, the Dassault Rafale was to be the MRCA for RMAF."
Yes, it was. MY is the first in Asean who show the interest to aquire rafale. SG come later showing interest in rafale before they decide to go straight to F35 and upgrade their F16 to viper. Only ID can materialize to get rafale.
Nolah, Singapore was the first to look at the Rafale as the plane was competing with the F15 for a fighter deal. Of course, Singapore chose the Eagles.
Romeo - ''come later showing interest in rafale''
No. Dassault mounted a very major PR campaign to meet the RSAF requirement . It even ran ads on buses and on TV on the ''omni role'' fighter. I was at Asian Aerospace 2002.
Romeo - ''MY is the first in Asean who show the interest to aquire rafale.''
Malaysia was the amongst the first Dassault marketed Rafale to in the region. Note that during that period the French had a strong political lobby
Romeo - ''come later showing interest in rafale''
No. Dassault mounted a very major PR campaign to meet the RSAF requirement. . It even ran ads on buses and on TV on the ''omni role'' fighter. I was at Asian Aerospace 2002; there was a strong Dassault presence. If I recall correctly Typhoon and Gripen were there in the form of mock ups.
Romeo - ''Only ID can materialize to get rafale.''
There is strong push by a political faction to get Rafale; whilst there is strong push by another faction to get F-15s. Great on paper and something to mesmorise the fanboys but as an Indonesian observer told me it's a major logistical/training nightmare; if left to the TNI-AU it would get follow on F-16s and even amongst Indonesians in the industry the question is where the money's coming from.
With recent E2D Hawkeye and GlobalEye each cost more than usd500 million a piece, seems only the older Erieye 2000/erj145 can fit the budget. Next would be does the 450km range of the older Erieye can fit into RMAF requirements or do they need the Erieye ER capabilities?
Also if RMAF wants interim AEW capabilities or additional airframes, then used Saab 340 Erieye could fit the bill as what Poland did
A out of topic question, what's the difference between LMS and Offshore patrol ship? as the new acquire ship is gonna be very similar specs
If what someone said about TUDM's disdain on used aircraft then Global/Erieye would stand a chance in hell of winning.
With that said, if we have to integrate onto a new plane then make it a 737/A321 at least it will have the speed, range and airtime of an airliner.
Get ERIEYE ER + Bombardier Global 6000.
Or basically a Globaleye "Lite". Globaleye is ERIEYE ER + Global 6000 + Leonardo Seaspray 7500E maritime surveillance radar.
It should come in at less than USD 100 million each.
ERIEYE ER + Saab 340 is 30 mil.
Brand new Global 6000 is 40 mil.
Still 30 mil left for "integration", or 90 mil for 3 aircraft.
It is basically a Globaleye without complexity of the Leonardo Seaspray 7500E maritime surveillance radar on the same aircraft.
RMAF should have no issues flying the Global 6000 as it is just a variant of RMAF own Global Express aircraft.
The RMAF planned budget to get 12 new medium lift helicopters in 2026-2030 is better spent on getting ERIEYE ER + Global 6000 instead.
RMAF spent about USD 600 million for the 12 EC725 helicopters. That kind of budget should be more than enough to get at least 3 ERIEYE ER + Global 6000 with lots of extra change.
RMAF can afford to not buy 12 medium lift helicopters in 2026-2030, it can be offsetted by providing more Blackhawks (used is okay) to PUTD.
USD 600 million medium helicopter budget can instead be used for
USD 300 million for 3x ERIEYE ER + Global 6000.
USD 100 million for sustainment
12x Blackhawk used for USD 150 million (12.5 million each)
USD 50 million for sustainment.
Luqman, actually what about Saab 2000 Erieye. That could also be a possibility if they stop making the 340. If I am not mistaken, Pakistan has this version. I think don’t fear, the will still be low cost option even after 2030…
Azlan:"Indonesian observer told me it’s a major logistical/training nightmare; if left to the TNI-AU it would get follow on F-16s"
In the logistical point' of view F16 is the right choice. But, in the others area such as ToT, user freedom, embargoed risk is a different story. As long as CAATSA is still applied then french made is the best option.
Luqman:"seems only the older Erieye 2000/erj145 can fit the budget."
Before taking AEWC, the first problem RMAF has is there are not enough number of MRCA in the inventory. I hope you are not suggestung RMAF can combine it with LCA, dont you?