Following Thailand’s purchase of an integrated air surveillance system from Sweden in a government to government deal, FMV, the Swedish Defense Material Administration, has placed a contract with Saab valued at $310 M for the development and production of the systems. Deliveries will take place during 2011.
The order comprises six Gripen fighters of the C/D version, two Saab 340 aircraft, of which one will be equipped with the company’s radar surveillance system Erieye, and associated equipment and services. Also included in the agreement is a command and control system, which will be the link between the Erieye system and the Gripen fighters. The complete system will be used for air surveillance and protection of Thailand’s territory.
Saab CEO, Åke Svensson, stated, "This further strengthens Gripen’s position on the export market. There is a great interest for Gripen today and several important export deals will be settled within the next few years. This agreement also strengthens our position within the area of airborne surveillance and advanced command and control systems."