The acquisition of airborne early warning capability by the PAF would greatly enhance its defensive capabilities and is an essential part of its modernisation efforts, PAF sources said. They said the achievement of airborne early warning capability would provide much-needed boost to Pakistan's security.
They said the aircraft is also equipped with electronic surveillance support systems for intelligence gathering along with a full set of defensive aids. The project merges Saab's 2000 turboprop aircraft with Ericsson's Erieye radar system. Marking achievement of a major milestone in the overall modernisation of the PAF, the SAAB-2000 will not only enhance the operational capability of PAF but also make the defence of the country impregnable, said a spokesman of the PAF.
With the induction of Swedish AWACS, the PAF has become one of the few air forces in the world to have AWACS capability. Besides detection of high and medium altitude flying aircraft, this state-of-the-art aircraft is also capable of detecting low-level flying objects over land and sea at extended ranges, the PAF spokesman said.
He said the system is capable of picking even the surface targets over the sea. He said by virtue of these features the PAF would be able to boost its operational capabilities manifold by achieving requisite early warning for efficient and meaningful defence of its air space. The SAAB-2000 is one of the fastest turboprop airplanes in existence. It is able to cruise at a speed of over 665 km/h (360 kt).
In June 2006, Pakistan finalised the purchase of six SAAB 2000 turboprop aircraft to be equipped with the Saab-Ericsson Erieye Airborne Early Warning system. Revised in May 2007 due to renegotiations with the Government of Pakistan, only five aircraft will be delivered, four of which will be equipped with the Erieye system. On April 3, 2008, the first SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C was rolled out and presented to Pakistan Air Force officials during a ceremony in Sweden.
General characteristics of SAAB-2000
Crew: Flight crew of three to four
Capacity: Normal passenger accommodation for 50 at three abreast and 81 cm (32 in) pitch.
Max seating for 58 at three abreast and 76 cm (30 in) pitch, with repositioned galley and wardrobe
Length: 27.28 m (89 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 24.76 m (81 ft 3 in)
Height: 7.73 m (25 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 55.7 m² (600 sq. ft)
Performance
Cruise speed: 682 km/h (424 mph, 368 knots) at 25,000 ft
Service ceiling: 31,000 ft
Rate of climb: 2,250 ft/min (11.4 m/s) initial Avionics
Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite with integrated avionics processor (IAP).