Defense & Military
Saab Expands GlobalEye Surveillance Efforts in Gulf Markets
Saab targets Qatar and Saudi Arabia with GlobalEye AEW&C offering amid Boeing E-7 delays, enhancing Gulf airborne surveillance capabilities.
Saab Targets Strategic Expansion in the Gulf Surveillance Market
Sweden’s defense giant Saab AB has formally initiated a campaign to supply its GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Confirmed by CEO Micael Johansson on November 20, 2025, this move represents a significant push by the company to expand its footprint in the Middle East. The initiative comes at a time when regional defense forces are actively seeking to modernize their surveillance capabilities to address evolving security challenges.
The timing of these offers appears to be strategically calculated to capitalize on shifting dynamics within the global aerospace defense sector. With reports emerging in late 2025 regarding delays and cancellations within the competing Boeing E-7 Wedgetail program, including setbacks with the US Air Force and NATO partners, a market vacuum has potentially opened. Saab is positioning the GlobalEye as a viable, available alternative to fill critical surveillance gaps for nations that require immediate and reliable airborne intelligence solutions.
We observe that this pitch is not merely about selling airframes but about establishing long-term defense partnerships in a region that prioritizes high-tech security infrastructure. By targeting both Qatar and Saudi Arabia simultaneously, Saab is addressing two distinct sets of operational requirements while leveraging the platform’s existing presence in the region, established by the United Arab Emirates’ current operation of the system.
Addressing Qatar’s Defense Requirements
For Qatar, the acquisition of an airborne early warning system represents a critical step in closing a significant capability gap. The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) currently operates without a dedicated AEW fleet. While the nation utilizes powerful ground-based radar systems, such as the Raytheon AN/FPS-132, these assets lack the “look-down” capabilities necessary to effectively detect low-flying threats. In an era where cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) pose increasing risks, the ability to track targets from above is a tactical necessity.
The history of Qatar’s procurement efforts adds context to this new proposal. The nation had previously ordered three Boeing E-7 Wedgetails but cancelled the agreement in 2018. Since then, the requirement for an airborne surveillance layer has remained unfulfilled. Saab’s offer aims to provide a solution that integrates seamlessly with Qatar’s existing air defense architecture, offering the missing link required for comprehensive airspace sovereignty.
The GlobalEye’s multi-role capability is particularly relevant for Qatar’s peninsula geography. Beyond aerial surveillance, the system is designed to monitor maritime activities and ground movements. This versatility allows for the simultaneous tracking of airborne threats and surface vessels, a dual-functionality that maximizes the operational value of the asset for a nation with extensive coastlines and offshore interests.
“We are campaigning, and we have given them offers.”, Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab AB, regarding the formal pitches to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian Context and Vision 2030
In Saudi Arabia, the strategic imperative differs from that of Qatar. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is looking to modernize an established but aging fleet. The Kingdom currently operates five Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft delivered in the 1980s. These legacy systems face increasing maintenance costs and obsolescence issues, necessitating a replacement that can handle modern electronic warfare environments. While Saudi Arabia has previously evaluated the Boeing E-7, the recent instability in that program has likely prompted a re-evaluation of lower-risk alternatives.
Saab holds a unique position in the Saudi market due to an existing operational relationship. The RSAF currently utilizes two Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft, which are smaller turboprop AEW platforms. This familiarity with Saab’s radar technology and support systems could streamline the transition to the more advanced GlobalEye. However, any major defense acquisition in the Kingdom is heavily influenced by “Vision 2030,” a national framework requiring 50% localization of defense spending. Consequently, Saab’s proposal will likely need to include substantial partnerships with local entities, such as Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), to facilitate technology transfer and domestic manufacturing.
The potential shift toward Saab reflects a broader trend of diversification in Gulf defense procurement. By engaging with a Swedish supplier, Saudi Arabia may also be seeking to mitigate the complexities often associated with export restrictions from other major defense exporters. The GlobalEye offers a balance of advanced Western technology with a degree of political neutrality that can be advantageous in complex geopolitical climates.
Technical Capabilities and Regional Synergy
The GlobalEye system is built upon the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet airframe, modified to carry the Erieye ER (Extended Range) radar. This Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is the core of the system, capable of detecting targets at ranges exceeding 450 kilometers (approximately 280 miles). Unlike traditional AWACS platforms that focus primarily on air-to-air management, the GlobalEye is marketed as a true multi-domain asset capable of tracking air, sea, and land targets simultaneously.
Operational endurance is another key factor in the pitch. The aircraft boasts mission times of up to 11 hours, allowing for persistent surveillance over vast areas without the immediate need for refueling. This endurance is critical for the Gulf region, where long border patrols and extended maritime monitoring are routine requirements. Furthermore, the system has already been “desert-proofed” through its service with the United Arab Emirates, which currently operates a fleet of five GlobalEye aircraft. This regional operational history provides tangible proof of the system’s reliability in harsh environmental conditions.
Should both Qatar and Saudi Arabia adopt the GlobalEye, it would create a de-facto standard for airborne surveillance across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This commonality could theoretically enhance interoperability between the nations and the UAE, facilitating data sharing and joint operations against common regional threats. From a logistical standpoint, a shared platform across neighboring borders would also offer opportunities for streamlined maintenance, training, and supply chain management.
Conclusion
Saab’s aggressive pitch to Qatar and Saudi Arabia highlights a pivotal moment in the market for airborne surveillance. By leveraging the reported industrial challenges faced by its main competitor, Boeing, Saab is presenting a solution that emphasizes availability, proven regional performance, and multi-domain versatility. The outcome of these negotiations will likely depend on Saab’s ability to meet specific industrial requirements, particularly regarding localization in Saudi Arabia, and its capacity to deliver assets within a timeframe that addresses the urgent security gaps of both nations.
As the defense landscape in the Middle East continues to evolve, the choice between waiting for established US programs to stabilize or pivoting to alternative European suppliers will define the future of the region’s air power. If successful, these deals would not only secure Saab’s position as a premier defense contractor in the Gulf but also shift the technological baseline for airborne early warning systems in the region for decades to come.
FAQ
What is the Saab GlobalEye?
The GlobalEye is a multi-role airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet. It is equipped with the Erieye ER radar and is capable of conducting surveillance across air, sea, and land domains simultaneously.
Why is Saab pitching to Qatar and Saudi Arabia now?
Saab is capitalizing on a market opportunity created by delays and cancellations in the rival Boeing E-7 Wedgetail program. Additionally, Qatar has an immediate need for AEW capability, while Saudi Arabia requires a replacement for its aging fleet of E-3 Sentry aircraft.
Does Saab have an existing presence in the region?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the launch customer for the GlobalEye and currently operates a fleet of five aircraft. Saudi Arabia also operates two smaller Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: SAAB
Military Technology
Saab Demonstrates Autonomous BVR AI Agents on Gripen E
Saab unveiled in-house AI agents for autonomous BVR air combat on the Gripen E after two years of flight testing.
Saab AB has successfully demonstrated autonomous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat capabilities using proprietary artificial intelligence agents integrated into a Gripen E fighter aircraft. The Swedish aerospace manufacturer officially unveiled the in-house technology on November 3, 2026, following approximately two years of airborne testing.
In a press release issued today, Saab confirmed the flight trials mark a critical step toward developing collaborative combat aircraft networks, where crewed and uncrewed systems operate as a coordinated force. The milestone underscores the company’s strategy to maintain sovereign control over its technology stack rather than relying entirely on external software providers.
Sovereign AI development and the Sferical facility
Saab centralized its artificial intelligence development under the AI Fighter Pilot Academy (AIFPA), an infrastructure designed to create, train, and evaluate AI agents. The department driving this initiative, Saab Advanced Programs, features a workforce where 40 percent of the staff hold doctorate-level qualifications, according to Aviation International News.
Peter Nilsson, Head of Advanced Programs at Saab Aeronautics, emphasized the operational focus of the project.
“We have not only built our own AI agents, but we have also flown them. This demonstrates our capability to develop AI agents that can be integrated into operational fighter aircraft. The future of air combat will not be defined by individual platforms acting alone, but by networks of crewed and uncrewed systems working together as a coordinated force. Through our ownership of the entire technology stack, we are building the capabilities needed for that future.”
To support this development, Saab recently implemented the Sferical AI facility in Linköping, Sweden. Part-owned by Saab, Ericsson, and AstraZeneca, the sovereign computing asset utilizes Nvidia’s DGX SuperPOD architecture. Aviation International News reported that the facility is powered by 1,152 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GB300 graphics processing units. This computing power allows Saab to run a one-hour flight test simulation one billion times in the same period, compared to just 1,200 times in a traditional central processing unit environment.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Nilsson outlined the primary challenge facing the AIFPA following the successful flight trials.
“The harder question is how we turn this success into a dependable capability that can learn, improve, and be relevant over time… that is the true purpose of the AI Fighter Pilot Academy.”
Gripen E architecture and testing timeline
Saab, which employs approximately 31,000 people globally, utilized the Gripen E as the primary testbed for its AI agents. The aircraft features a software-defined architecture that segregates mission software from flight-critical functions. This separation enables the rapid integration and testing of new technologies without requiring dedicated experimental platforms or compromising safety of flight.
Prior to unveiling its in-house agents, Saab collaborated with third-party developers to validate the aircraft’s autonomous potential. On May 28, 2025, a Gripen E trials aircraft flew for the first time with the Centaur AI agent developed by Helsing, demonstrating initial BVR air combat capabilities.
Following these third-party trials, Saab transitioned to testing its proprietary agents. The company briefed journalists on the readiness of its in-house AI agents for operational deployment on October 30, 2026, before the official public unveiling on November 3, 2026.
Collaborative combat and future integration
The integration of artificial intelligence into combat aircraft aligns with a broader industry shift toward Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concepts. Defence contractors globally are developing networks where crewed fighters command uncrewed loyal wingman platforms.
Saab is actively testing the sensor networks required for these collaborative operations. On October 28, 2026, Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flight-tested an unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) capability, integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar with an MQ-9B unmanned UAV.
Looking ahead, Saab anticipates that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Air Force will absorb these AI agents into real-world operations within months or single digits of years, according to Aviation International News. In the interim, Saab plans to expand the capabilities of its agents by flying them in a broader range of scenarios, establishing the foundation for future uncrewed platforms.
AirPro News analysis
Saab’s insistence on sovereign, in-house artificial intelligence development contrasts with competitors who heavily outsource to commercial technology firms. By owning the entire technology stack, Saab positions itself to offer highly secure, exportable AI packages free from third-party licensing bottlenecks or foreign regulatory hurdles. The massive investment in the Sferical AI facility indicates we are seeing a shift from experimental AI flight tests to industrialized, mass-scale tactical training for autonomous systems. If Saab can deliver on its timeline for Swedish Air Forces integration, the Gripen E could become one of the first Western fighters to field operational, combat-ready AI agents in frontline service.
Photo Credit: Saab AB
Defense & Military
Greece Orders Up to Six Embraer KC-390 Millennium Aircraft
Greece signed a government-to-government deal with Portugal for up to six KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with first delivery in 2027.
The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed a government-to-government agreement with Portugal to acquire up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, making Greece the seventh European nation to select the Brazilian-built tactical airlifter.
Announced by Embraer in a press release on November 2, 2026, the contract includes three firm orders and options for three additional aircraft, with the first delivery to the Hellenic Air Force scheduled for 2027. The acquisition aims to modernize Greece’s airlift and air-to-air refueling capabilities while enhancing interoperability with allied North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces.
Expanding the European footprint
The procurement is structured as a bilateral agreement between the governments of Greece and Portugal. By selecting the KC-390 Millennium, Greece joins a growing list of NATO and European Union member states transitioning to the jet-powered transport to replace legacy turboprop fleets.
Embraer views the Greek acquisition as a validation of the aircraft’s utility within the European defense architecture, where interoperability and multi-role flexibility are primary requirements for fleet modernization.
“We are honored by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium. This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft,” Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said in the company statement. “This very important milestone further solidifies the aircraft’s position as a preferred solution for military airlift among NATO allies.”
Da Costa Junior added that the aircraft’s proven performance, reliability, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for nations seeking to enhance their operational capabilities.
The KC-390’s development and market position
The Embraer C-390 and KC-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft designed to perform aerial refueling, troop transport, and cargo airlift. Development of the platform began in the mid-2000s. The Brazilian Air Force formally joined the project in 2009 by awarding a development contract to Embraer, a manufacturer with over 55 years of history and more than 9,000 aircraft delivered worldwide.
The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2015, achieved civil certification in 2018, and entered military operational service in September 2019. It was developed specifically as a modern, jet-powered alternative to legacy turboprop tactical transports like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Greece is the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, joining Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Outside of Europe, the aircraft has been acquired by the air forces of Brazil, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia.
The program has seen significant momentum in recent months. On July 8, 2026, the Czech Air Force received its first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, which featured a special three-tone gray camouflage designed by the Military History Institute in Prague. Shortly after, on July 23, 2026, Colombia signed a contract for two KC-390 Millennium transports, with one configured as a tanker to support its incoming Gripen fighter fleet.
AirPro News analysis
Embraer’s success in Europe with the KC-390 Millennium highlights a definitive shift in the tactical airlift market. For decades, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules dominated this space. The KC-390’s jet-powered speed, payload capacity, and multi-mission flexibility have proven highly attractive to medium-sized NATO air forces looking to modernize. Securing Greece, a nation with stringent defense requirements and a focus on regional interoperability, validates Embraer’s strategy of leveraging early European adopters like Portugal to facilitate government-to-government sales. We expect this momentum to place increasing pressure on competing legacy platforms in upcoming recapitalization bids across the globe.
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
US Army HADES Prototype ME-11B Completes First Flight
The U.S. Army’s first HADES prototype, a modified Bombardier Global 6500, completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026.
The U.S. Army’s first High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) prototype completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026, marking a critical milestone in the service’s transition from legacy turboprops to high-altitude jet intelligence platforms.
In a press release issued on October 30, 2026, the U.S. Army confirmed the flight followed extensive structural modifications by lead systems integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to convert a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet into a military sensor platform. The program aims to provide commanders with deep sensing capabilities to operate effectively in contested environments against advanced anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) threats.
Transitioning to deep sensing capabilities
The maiden flight represents the transition of the HADES program from the structural modification phase into mission system integration and developmental flight testing. Prior to the September 11 flight, engineers and test pilots completed structural modifications, installed mission system hardware, and conducted preliminary baseline airworthiness verification at SNC facilities, likely in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The U.S. Army is actively divesting its legacy turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet, which includes platforms such as the RC-12X Guardrail and MC-12S EMARSS. These older aircraft are being replaced by high-altitude jets capable of operating further from advanced A2/AD threats. Business jets like the Bombardier Global 6500 offer operational altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet and speeds around Mach 0.9, allowing onboard sensors to achieve greater line-of-sight over the horizon compared to lower-flying turboprops.
Lt. Col. (P) James Hickey, Project Manager for the U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, emphasized the operational necessity of the new platform.
“The first flight of HADES Prototype 1 transitions our vision for deep sensing from concept to reality. Deep sensing is critical to maintaining decision advantage in the future fight. HADES will help commanders see farther, understand faster, and act with greater precision across the multi-domain battlefield.”
Program timeline and fleet development
The HADES platform is a core component of the Army’s broader Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) initiative. The U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, alongside the Project Director Sensors–Aerial Intelligence, manages the procurement and lifecycle of the asset.
Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded the lead systems integrator contract for the HADES program in August 2024, a deal with a reported ceiling value of $991.3 million. The contract faced a brief suspension due to a protest by competitor L3Harris before proceeding. Bombardier subsequently delivered the first Global 6500 airframe to the U.S. Army in Wichita, Kansas, on November 25, 2024.
The U.S. Army officially designated the militarized Global 6500 as the ME-11B in early 2025. Fleet expansion has continued steadily since the initial delivery. On January 13, 2026, SNC announced the acquisition of a fourth Global 6500, intended to serve as the first non-prototype aircraft in the operational fleet.
Despite the hardware progress, the final acquisition objective for the HADES fleet remains unconfirmed by the U.S. Army. A January 2026 Request for Information outlined a fleet of 11 aircraft with an objective of 14. However, defense media reports from May 2025 indicated the Army might reduce the planned fleet to six aircraft due to budget realignments. The service has not publicly clarified the final fleet size in its recent communications.
Next steps in developmental testing
With the initial flight complete, the Army and SNC will spend late 2026 and 2027 integrating and testing HADES mission systems through a comprehensive developmental flight test program. This phase is designed to validate the aircraft’s multi-domain sensing and signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
The developmental testing will determine the effectiveness and operational readiness of the integrated systems ahead of formal operational demonstrations. Hickey noted that the achievement reflects the technical precision of military, civilian, and industry partners working to deliver transformational capabilities to the joint force.
AirPro News analysis
The successful first flight of the HADES prototype underscores a structural shift in military airborne ISR procurement. By selecting commercial business jets over bespoke military airframes or traditional turboprops, the U.S. Army is prioritizing altitude, speed, and payload capacity to counter modern A2/AD networks. This mirrors the U.S. Air Force’s approach with the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) fleet, which also utilizes a Bombardier Global airframe. The strategy allows the military to leverage billions of dollars in commercial aviation research and development, reducing both unit costs and development timelines.
However, the unresolved questions surrounding the final acquisition objective highlight the ongoing tension between ambitious multi-domain operational requirements and constrained defense budgets. If the fleet is ultimately capped at six aircraft rather than the originally envisioned 14, the Army will need to carefully manage deployment cycles and maintenance schedules to maintain persistent deep sensing coverage in key theaters like the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. A smaller fleet size would place a premium on the reliability and mission capable rates of the ME-11B platform.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy SNC
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