Pakistani airforce gets its first Erieye airborne early warning and control aircraft

Pakistan has received the first of four Saab-2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft from Sweden, with the air force claiming it will boost operational capabilities manifold over land and sea.

Pakistan's first AEW&C aircraft was inducted at one of the country's main operating bases yesterday, an official statement said. With this acquisition, Pakistan will become only the few nations like China and India to have such a capability.

Besides detection of aircraft flying at high and medium altitudes, the system is capable of detecting low level flying objects over land and sea. It is also capable of picking up surface targets at sea.

"By virtue of these features, Pakistan Air Force would be able to boost its operational capability manifold by achieving requisite early warning for efficient and meaningful air defence of its airspace," the statement said.

The Erieye system provides 300 degree coverage and has an effective detection range of only 300 km to 350 km. It uses a pulse Doppler radar with a fixed, wedge-shaped antenna.

Pakistan initially planned to acquire six to seven Erieye systems but later reduced the number of aircraft, apparently due to a financial crunch.

The delivery of the first aircraft was also delayed by several months. Pakistan also has plans to acquire four larger advanced warning and control aircraft systems from China.