Saab Expands GlobalEye Surveillance Efforts in Gulf Markets

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