Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson visited Poland on Mar. 4th to solidify defense cooperation between the two nations. The visit will culminate in the official delivery of the first of two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Poland at an airbase in Gdynia.
Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This move underscores the deepening defense relationship between Sweden and Poland, particularly in the context of heightened regional security concerns. The acquisition of the Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft bolsters Poland’s aerial surveillance capabilities and aligns with their efforts to modernize their military equipment.
The Saab 340 AEW&C is a derivative of the Saab 340 turboprop airliner, modified to carry the powerful Erieye radar system. This radar enables real-time detection and tracking of airborne threats, providing valuable information for air defense and situational awareness operations. These two airframes transfered to Poland were previously utilized by the United Arab Emirates Air Force before they were replaced by the more advanced GlobalEye platform. Despite that, the Saab 340 AEW&C remains a well-established and reliable platform for various AEW&C missions.
Coinciding with Minister Jonson’s visit, Poland announced a significant new order for the Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system. This order, valued at $1.24 billion, includes ammunition and training equipment, and covers the period from 2024 to 2027. The order is expected to be officially booked by Saab before the end of the second quarter of 2024. This additional procurement further strengthens the defense partnership between Sweden and Poland, signifying Poland’s commitment to modernizing its military capabilities.
[Update: The post has been updated to clarify that only the first of two aircraft has been delivered]
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