Howard Gethin/LONDON
The Greek Government has selected the Ericsson Erieye system for the Greek air force's airborne warning and control system requirement in a deal worth more than $500 million for four systems integrated with the Embraer EMB-145.
The sale is the first export success for the industrial consortium of Ericsson, Embraer and Thomson-CSF, which was established in March. Rival systems under offer included Northrop Grumman's E-2C Hawkeye 2000, and Lockheed Martin with aC-130J using Hawkeye electronics. Greece will benefit from some technology transfer in Erieye software development and non-related telecommunications development.
Deliveries will begin three years after contract signature, which is likely "soon after detailed contract negotiations start, probablymid-1999", Ericsson Microwave Systems says. The value of offset work for Greece remains to be negotiated.
Pakistan has also been in discussion with Ericsson about the system, but the firm is prevented from dealing with Islamabad by Swedish Government sanctions, "-due to the political situation, including nuclear tests", says the company.
"Pakistan is still interested and has a need for the system. If the restrictions are lifted, we will respond to that," says Ericsson.
The number of systems Pakistan required is thought to number four aircraft.
Erieye is in service with the Swedish air force where it uses the Saab 2000 as a platform. The EMB-145/Erieye combination is in production as part of an integrated Amazon Basin surveillance contract with the Brazilian Government.
The Erieye system is also under consideration for the South Korean air force's airborne early warning contest.
Source: Flight International
