Saab Secures $1.04 B Deal for Two GlobalEye Aircraft from Unnamed Middle East Buyer

Swedish defence company Saab Defence and Security announced on 27 July 2026 that it has received an order for two GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from an undisclosed Middle‑East customer. The contract is valued at SEK 10.1 billion (about US$1.04 billion), with deliveries scheduled for 2030. Saab’s President and CEO Micael Johansson said the deal underscores the firm’s commitment to providing a mission‑proven, multi‑domain AEW&C capability and noted that no further details will be released due to industry confidentiality and national‑security considerations.

The order adds to Saab’s growing GlobalEye backlog, which already includes aircraft for Sweden, France, Canada and a pending NATO negotiation for up to ten units. Saab expects production to rise from two aircraft a year to roughly six by 2030, while supply‑chain constraints remain the main bottleneck. Following the announcement, Saab shares jumped about 2 % on the Stockholm exchange. The United Arab Emirates remains the only confirmed GlobalEye operator in the region, having received five aircraft between 2015 and 2024.