# Saab defence contracts expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/saab-defence-contracts-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-04T23:41:46.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4.

Sweden’s July 2026 decision to buy 12 additional Gripen E fighters, raising its total order to 72 and replacing the JAS 39C/Ds earmarked for Ukraine, was echoed a week later when Thailand’s Royal Air Force announced plans to fund eight more Gripen E/F jets to complete a 12‑aircraft squadron and retire its aging F‑16s. 

In parallel, Saab confirmed a series of GlobalEye airborne early‑warning aircraft sales to an unnamed Middle‑East customer. A contract worth roughly $1 billion for two aircraft was announced on 29 July, followed on 4 August by a €930 million deal for two further units, a nation thought to be Qatar or Saudi Arabia. Both orders target delivery in 2030 and add to the existing fleet operated by the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and France, while NATO continues to evaluate the platform as a replacement for its AWACS fleet. 

Together, the successive announcements underline Saab’s expanding export footprint across fighter jets and multi‑domain surveillance systems, and its plan to increase annual GlobalEye production to meet growing international demand.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Saab secures €930 million GlobalEye order from undisclosed Middle‑East customer

Saab won a €930 million contract for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, to be delivered by 2030 to an undisclosed Middle‑East buyer, underscoring rising demand and production challenges.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saab-secures-930-million-globaleye-order-from-undisclosed-middleeast-customer

### 2026-07-29: Saab sells two GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to undisclosed Middle Eastern buyer

Saab confirmed a $1 billion deal to supply two GlobalEye airborne early‑warning aircraft to an unnamed Middle Eastern country, with delivery slated for 2030; the platform can fly 12 hours and detect targets up

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saab-sells-two-globaleye-surveillance-aircraft-to-undisclosed-middle-eastern-buyer

### 2026-07-27: Saab Secures $1.04 B Deal for Two GlobalEye Aircraft from Unnamed Middle East Buyer

Saab won a SEK 10.1 bn ($1.04 bn) order for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft from an unnamed Middle‑East buyer, with delivery set for 2030; shares rose 2 % and production is to increase to six aircraft a year by 10

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saab-secures-104-b-deal-for-two-globaleye-aircraft-from-unnamed-middle-east-buyer

### 2026-07-21: Sweden and Thailand add new orders for Saab Gripen jets

Sweden adds 12 Gripen E jets to replace fighters sent to Ukraine, raising its order to 72, while Thailand seeks funding for eight more Gripen E/F jets to complete a new squadron, following a recent four‑jet buy

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-and-thailand-add-new-orders-for-saab-gripen-jets

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Cite as: Saab defence contracts expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/saab-defence-contracts-expansion