UAE AEW Rivals Line Up at Dubai 2011
Three competitors have brought AEW aircraft to Dubai 2011–the Boeing 737AEW&C, Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and Saab 2000AEW&C.
The Erieye mission system of the Saab 2000 being proposed to the UAE is much more capable than that installed in the current 340AEWs. Through development for customers such as the Pakistan air force, which is exhibiting a Saab 2000 at the show (above), the Erieye radar has been improved significantly.
The Erieye mission system of the Saab 2000 being proposed to the UAE is much more capable than that installed in the current 340AEWs. Through development for customers such as the Pakistan air force, which is exhibiting a Saab 2000 at the show (above), the Erieye radar has been improved significantly.

UAE’s Air Force and Air Defense (AFAD) has a long-standing interest in acquiring an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capability. Illustrating the importance of this opportunity, all three competitors have brought aircraft to the show in the form of the Boeing 737AEW&C, Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and the Saab 2000AEW&C. Each represents a different approach to the UAE’s possible requirements.

 In the meantime, the UAE AFAD has already started AEW operations. At the Dubai air show two years ago it was announced that the AFAD would acquire two ex-Swedish air force Saab 340 AEW aircraft equipped with the Erieye radar.