Poland welcomed the official delivery of the first of two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft at an airbase in Gdynia.
The ceremony coincided with the visit of Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson on March 4, 2024. Discussions during the visit encompassed a wide array of topics, including defense collaboration between Sweden and Poland, and ongoing support for Ukraine.
“Poland and Sweden have a close relationship, especially in the area of security and defense, which is rooted in a shared view of the threats we jointly face in our region,” Jonson said.
Poland’s acquisition of the two second-hand Saab 340 radar reconnaissance aircraft from Sweden and Saab, finalized in July 2023, is valued at SEK 600 million (€52 million) over the contract period from 2023 to 2025. The procurement encompasses not only the aircraft but also essential ground equipment, in-country logistics, and comprehensive support services.
The Saab 340 AEW, derived from the Saab 340 regional turboprop airliner, is a surveillance and command aircraft. Central to its role is the Erieye AEW/AEW&C system, featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar mounted atop the aircraft fuselage. With a range exceeding 550 kilometers (342 miles), the Erieye radar enables the tracking of both airborne and naval targets.
In June 2022, the Swedish Air Force announced that it would replace the two Saab 340 AEW with two Global 6000 GlobalEye aircraft. On July 19, 2023, Saab received the first of two Bombardier Global 6000 jets that will be equipped with their Airborne Early Warning and Control solution for Sweden. The Swedish GlobalEye fleet is expected to enter into service in 2027.
