Poland is in talks with Sweden to purchase early warning aircraft, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on Monday.
The minister said that detailed negotiations are ongoing, and a decision is expected in the near term.
Blaszczak did not disclose the number and make of the aircraft. However, citing local industry observers, Defense News identified the aircraft as Saab’s GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C).
Sweden ordered two GlobalEyes for $711 million last year, with an option to buy two more.
Poland does currently not field any AEW&C aircraft, instead relying on the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force.
Global Eye
The Global Eye is based on Bombardier’s Global 6000/6500 family of business jets, featuring Saab’s Erieye extended range radar with an advanced sensor suite and a multi-domain command and control system.
The Gallium nitride-based radar can detect and track aerial targets 550 kilometers (342 miles) away, a greater range than that of its peers, according to Aviation Online.
The outlet added that the radar can detect and track smaller targets than most of its peers. It can track even those targets with high resistance to electronic countermeasures.
The aircraft can also simultaneously monitor maritime and land targets after being equipped with naval surveillance, electronically scanning radar, and an electro-optical system.
The aircraft has an endurance of 11 hours, and its smaller frame compared to other AEW&C aircraft allows it to operate from smaller airports, providing operational flexibility.