On March 6, 2024, the Polish Air Force welcomed the first of two Saab 340 Early Airborne Warning (AEW) aircraft, marking a strategic procurement from Sweden's Saab completed in July 2023 for EUR 52 million. This investment encompasses not only the aircraft but also essential ground support equipment, logistic support within Poland, and comprehensive service agreements spanning from 2023 to 2025.
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Saab has presented the first Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft to the customer during a ceremony in Linköping on September 2023 (Picture source: SAAB)
Adapted from the Saab 340 regional airliner, the Saab 340 AEW aircraft stands as a critical component in surveillance and command operations. It is equipped with the advanced Erieye AEW/AEW&C system, featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar mounted on top of the aircraft's fuselage. This leading-edge radar capability allows for the detection of both airborne and maritime targets over distances exceeding 550 kilometers (342 miles), significantly expanding Poland's surveillance range and bolstering its national security.
The aircraft's arrival was celebrated in an event attended by dignitaries from Sweden and Poland, highlighting the swift progress in delivering the Saab 340 AEW equipped with the Erieye radar. This delivery underscores the successful collaboration between Saab and the Polish Armed Forces, facilitated by Saab's ongoing production line for early airborne warning solutions and its dedicated personnel and in-house expertise for system testing and evaluation.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, expressed pride in providing this vital capability to Poland, emphasizing the rapid progress towards finalizing this early airborne surveillance system for the Polish Armed Forces. The Saab 340 AEW, along with its associated ground equipment, is set to deliver a comprehensive situational picture useful for both military and civilian tasks, including air surveillance and rescue operations.
The deployment of Saab’s Erieye AEW/AEW&C system, already sold to nine countries, positions the Saab 340 AEW as one of the most extensively used airborne surveillance systems worldwide. Integrating these aircraft into Poland's defense infrastructure signifies a pivotal enhancement of its aerial surveillance and command capabilities, providing a robust platform for protecting territorial integrity and national security.
While the Polish Air Force already participates in NATO's AWACS program, with crew members aboard the Advanced Airborne Warning and Control System (AEW&C) E-3A Sentry aircraft, this acquisition marks the country's first independent purchase. The procurement comes as Poland modernizes its armed forces in response to the deteriorating geopolitical environment in Eastern Europe, specifically due to the war in Ukraine.
