Pakistan is believed to be close to signing a deal with Swedish industry to acquire a number of Saab 2000 turboprops equipped with Ericsson Microwave Systems' Erieye airborne early warning (AEW) radar. President Pervez Musharraf is understood to have finalised the deal during a visit to Sweden last month, but Ericsson confirms only that talks have taken place with the Pakistani authorities.
Islamabad is believed to have a requirement for up to 14 Saab 2000s, with the procurement to be divided between the military's AEW requirement and a possible purchase for Pakistan International Airlines.
Saab is keen to find a launch customer for the Erieye-equipped Saab 2000, and hopes to "conclude orders this year", says vice- president for strategic marketing Svanke Bergh.
Source: Flight International
