Aerial Eyes: Pakistan’s New AWACS Fleets
March 21/13: Need a fix. Saab announces a 5-year, SEK 1.1 billion ($170 million) contract that runs from 2013-2017, and covers “a comprehensive set of spares and support services for a previously delivered system, Saab 2000 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control).” Unfortunately, “The industry’s nature is such that depending on circumstances concerning the product and customer, information regarding the customer will not be announced.”
The answer seemed obvious. Air forces using Saab turboprop AWACS include Sweden, Thailand and the UAE (Saab 340), and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (stretched Saab 2000 variant). Pakistan’s sale is well known and hasn’t been secret, so a Saab 2000 AEW&C customer insisting on secrecy must mean… Saudi Arabia.
Except that we might have been wrong. What even the February revelations in Pakistan hadn’t disclosed is that the attack on Minhas AB in Pakistan happened with 3 Erieye planes on the ground. One was destroyed – but 2 others were very badly damaged. That leaves Pakistan with a fleet of just 1 plane, until it gets those 2 fixed. That could explain this $170 million contract, with the sudden secrecy invoked because Pakistan doesn’t want to publicly admit the extent of the loss; indeed, if Saab doesn’t announce a separate SEK 1+ billion support contract soon, the default assumption for this deal must become Pakistan. The problem for Sweden, says Sweden’s Dagens Industri in an April 10/13 article, is that the original purchase was funded by a 2006 credit arrangement of SEK 7.4 billion from the Swedish Export Credit and Export Credits Guarantee Board. Now they’ll have to add SEK 1+ billion to cover this, all to a country that isn’t viewed as a terrific credit risk. Saab Group | Dagens Industri [in Swedish].
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In June 2006, Saab signed a SEK 8.3 billion provisional contract to supply Argus turboprop airborne early warning (AEW&C) systems to Pakistan, based on the Saab 2000 regional turboprop airliner and the Erieye fixed active array radar. The buy capped a 25-year quest by the Pakistani Air force to field AWACS machines, which can survey the airspace for hundreds of miles around, and co-ordinate intercept and strike missions based on what it sees.
The Saab aircraft beat other competitors, including US offers to sell the E-2C Hawkeye system. In 2007, the buy was reduced somewhat for financial reasons, but Pakistan took delivery of at least 4 planes. Then, in 2008, the PAF looked to China for another 4 AWACS. Despite some setbacks, Pakistan had a diverse AWACS fleet with more than 5 aircraft, even as its rival India has struggled to field 3 planes. That was true, until Pakistan’s own deep state policies supporting Salafist Islam came back to bite their AWACS fleet.
Pakistan’s New AWACS
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In “SAAB 2000 & ERIEYE AWE&C system” (now a dead link), a Pakistani government site explains the operational need for these aircraft, and chronicles the country’s pursuit of the 707-based E-3C AWACS aircraft and related systems since 1979. Indeed, Pakistan had pursued the Erieye system before, but had been rejected several times under Sweden’s military export policies.
Once that obstacle was cleared, Pakistan engaged in long negotiations with Saab, finally clinching a deal in 2006. With respect to the new S2000 AEW’s radar capabilities, the article notes that:
“The Ericsson PS-890 Erieye radar uses an active array with 200 solid state modules. The range of the S-band, 3 GHz, and side looking radar is 300 km. The 1,985-lb (900-kg) dorsal antenna is housed in a 29-ft 6.3-in (9-m) long box radome mounted atop the fuselage. Utilizing adaptive side lobe suppression, the look angle on each side is about 160 degrees. From its standard operational altitude of 6000 metres (19,685 feet, or FL200) the radar has a maximum range of 450 km (279 miles). Against a fighter-sized target effective range is approximately 330 km (205 miles). Seaborne targets can be detected at 320 km (198 miles), though this is a function of the aircraft’s cruising height. The electronically scanned antenna can scan sectors of interest frequently while others are monitored, and a single sector can be scanned in different modes at the same time.”
That last bit is a reference to the AESA radar’s ability to scan ground and air activity at the same time, rather than switching between these modes as conventional radars do. An Australian airpower article explains the potential benefits of AESA radars against other AEW&C offerings like the E-2C Hawkeye – and also notes the limitations of the Erieye system:
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“The limitation of the two sided array is that it can only cover two 120 degree sectors abeam of the aircraft, leaving 60 degree blind sectors over the nose and tail of the aircraft, and reduced antenna performance from 45 degrees off the beam aspect. Another limitation stems from the use of an airframe too small to accommodate a comprehensive self contained command, control and communications system, and other sensors such as a capable ESM and track association system.”
Saab’s corporate release explains the split: 2/3 of the order value is for Saab, and 1/3 for Ericsson Microwave Systems’ PS-890 Erieye radars. EMS “is, after the Saab acquisition [see DID coverage], expected to be a part of Saab in September 2006.” Subsequent reports finally establish the number of planes bought at 4.
A 2008 buy added 4 Chinese ZDK-03 “Karakoram Eagle” AWACS planes, based on the Y-8F-600 turboprop cargo plane with improved engines and modern avionics. These larger planes use a more conventional “rotating radome” arrangement, and supposedly uses the same active electronically steered array radar used in China’s Y-8F-400 derived KJ-2000 AWACS. The ZDK-03 is also said to be compatible with secondary ELINT surveillance roles.
Contracts and Related Events
2011 – 2013
Terrorist attack destroys an S2000 plane.
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March 21/13: Need a fix. Saab announces a 5-year, SEK 1.1 billion ($170 million) contract that runs from 2013-2017, and covers “a comprehensive set of spares and support services for a previously delivered system, Saab 2000 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control).” Unfortunately, “The industry’s nature is such that depending on circumstances concerning the product and customer, information regarding the customer will not be announced.”
The answer seemed obvious. Air forces using Saab turboprop AWACS include Sweden, Thailand and the UAE (Saab 340), and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (stretched Saab 2000 variant). Pakistan’s sale is well known and hasn’t been secret, so a Saab 2000 AEW&C customer insisting on secrecy must mean… Saudi Arabia.
Except that we might have been wrong. What even the February revelations in Pakistan hadn’t disclosed is that the attack on Minhas AB in Pakistan happened with 3 Erieye planes on the ground. One was destroyed – but 2 others were very badly damaged. That leaves Pakistan with a fleet of just 1 plane, until it gets those 2 fixed. That could explain this $170 million contract, with the sudden secrecy invoked because Pakistan doesn’t want to publicly admit the extent of the loss; indeed, if Saab doesn’t announce a separate SEK 1+ billion support contract soon, the default assumption for this deal must become Pakistan.
The problem for Sweden, says Sweden’s Dagens Industri in an April 10/13 article, is that the original purchase was funded by a 2006 credit arrangement of SEK 7.4 billion from the Swedish Export Credit and Export Credits Guarantee Board. Now they’ll have to add SEK 1+ billion to cover this, all to a country that isn’t viewed as a terrific credit risk. Our Swedish source says that Dagen Industri is about to break a follow-on story involving “questionable commissions” related to the sale. No, we’re not shocked, either. But Sweden has laws that will be enforced, even if Pakistan’s aren’t. Saab Group | Dagens Industri [in Swedish].
Feb 6-9/13: Revelations. Defence Secretary Lt. Gen. (ret.) Asif Yasin Malik informs Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence that the defence installations saw their last attacks in Peshawar and the Kamra airbase, but adds that an AWACS plane was destroyed during the attack on Kamra AB in August 2012. Initially, it isn’t clear which AWACS plane type he’s referring to, but a subsequent report by Pakistan’s The News International confirms that it was one of Saab’s S2000 AEW planes.
That’s a bit awkward, because Pakistani authorities have apparently been claiming for the last 6 months that the attack had just damaged an aircraft’s nose cone, and that it would be repaired in Sweden. The report also refers to “one of the four” planes, which would finally provide a reliable number.
Speaking of reliable numbers, the report quotes varied prices per plane of $130-140 million, up to $250 million. It’s true that the final, reduced deal was worth about $1 billion, so dividing by 4 does get $250 million. On the other hand, any purchase like this must also include extensive training, a full stock of spare parts, and extensive initial support. A $140 million per plane figure implies a split of $560 million planes (140 x 4) + $440 million support etc. That seems high, but it all depends on the level of support provided. The News International | TNI follow-on.
Aug 16/12: Minhas attack. The Pakistani Taliban attack Minhas Air Base, at Kamra about 60 miles NW of the capital, Islamabad. Base commander Air Commodore Muhammad Azam is reported to be seriously wounded but in a stable condition, 2 soldiers die, and all 8 attackers are killed. It later emerges that 1 of the Saab AEW aircraft was destroyed.
Minhas is one of Pakistan’s biggest air bases, including new JF-17 Thunder fighters being assembled there as part of a joint venture with China. That makes the 3rd major attack and breach of a secure Pakistani military facility in the last 3 years or so. BBC.
Minhas AB attack
2006 – 2010
Deal signed for S2000 AEW&C planes, then reduced; S2000s rolled out and begin arriving; Subsequent deal for 4 Chinese ZDY-03 “Karakoram Eagle” AWACS; ZDY-03 rollout.
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Nov 13/10: ZDK-03. China holds a rollout ceremony for Pakistan’s ZDY-03 AWACS system, based on the 4-engine Yun-8 cargo turboprop. Pakistan ordered 4 of the planes in 2008, rather than adding to its purchase from Saab. Deliveries aren’t expected to begin before 2011.
The purchase of Chinese AWACS planes could be due to several factors. One is the cost per additional aircraft from China, which can compete very aggressively on price. Another involves Pakistan’s close relations with China, which extend to joint military programs like the JF-17 Thunder fighter. Then there’s the cautious impetus for supplier and technology diversification, so that problems with any one platform or its suppliers don’t impair a strategic national capability like AWACS. Pakistan Military Review | 2011 delivery picture.
ZDK-03s
April 24/10: Erieye #2 arrives. Pakistan’s 2nd of 4 Saab-2000 AEW aircraft lands at an operational base, as preparations are made to induct it into the fleet. PTI.
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Dec 14/09: Erieye. Pakistan’s Daily Times quotes Minister for Defence Production, Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, who confirms that the 1st Erieye AWACS plane has reached Pakistan, and 3 more planes are expected in 2010. The formal induction ceremony takes place on Dec 29/09. Karachi News.
S2000-AEW 1st arrival
Oct 21/09: Erieye.. In a ceremony in Linköping, Saab and the Pakistan Air Force celebrate the start of the final tests of the new Erieye AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft. The aircraft is currently undergoing system tests in Sweden, which aim is to evaluate the complete system including aircraft, radar, C2 system, communication and live situation picture. Follow on testing in Pakistan later in 2009, including integration into the Pakistan Air Force’s Command & Control Ground Environment.
May 28/09: Erieye. Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, is quoted by Pakistan’s The News International as saying that Pakistan would begin receiving its AWACS planes by October 2009.
April 3/08: Erieye. China’s government-controlled Xinhua reports that the first Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft for the PAF was rolled out in Sweden and prepared for flight trials by the year end, after being equipped with a full suite of mission systems. “The Pakistan Air Force achieved a major landmark in its Airborne Early Warning Program with the roll out of its first Saab 2000 AEW&C in a simple but impressive ceremony at the Saab facility in Sweden,” the PAF statement said.
The aircraft will be put through trials before being delivered to the PAF in 2009. See also Flight International’s photo coverage, which puts the total number of Saab 2000 aircraft at 5.
S2000-AEW Rollout
May 28/07: Erieye. Maybe not quite finalized. A Saab release states that:
“With reference to the sale of Saab Airborne Surveillance Systems to Pakistan, the customer has for financial reasons and in accordance with the original contract, asked to renegotiate part of the contract concerning a reduction of the number of systems. Together with Saab terms and conditions then have been agreed, concerning a reduction. Saab and the Government of Pakistan continue as planned with the delivery of the system.
As a result of the renegotiation, the order value is decreased by approximately SEK 1.35 billion [DID 8.3B – 1.35B = 6.95B, a 16.3% reduction and about $1 billion total at a May 28 conversion]. Income will decrease proportionally to the volume change, but other commercial terms and conditions will remain unchanged.”
The number of planes in the revised order was not specified.
S2000-AEW renegotiation & reduction
June 22/06: Saab announces a SEK 8.3 billion (approx. $1.15 billion at then-rate conversion) provisional contract for Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) surveillance systems using Saab 2000 turboprops equipped with Ericsson’s Erieye radar.
According to earlier reports at Pakistani Defence, Pakistan aimed to buy 14 SAAB 2000 aircraft from Sweden: 7 for the PAF’s AEW&C role as Argus aircraft, and the remaining 7 for the state-owned PIA airline. Saab releases, however, have made no mention of a passenger version. It said only that:
“Two third of the order value is for Saab and one third for Ericsson Microwave Systems, witch is, after the Saab acquisition, expected to be a part of Saab in September 2006.”
Initial Saab 2000-AEW Erieye order
Additional Readings
- Saab – Saab 200 ERIEYE AEW&C
- Airforce Technology – Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft, Sweden
- Sino-Defence – Yun-8 Rotodome Airborne Early Warning Aircraft. Also known as ZDK-03.
- Air Power Australia – AEW&C – Phased Array Technology: Parts 1 & 2. Good general primer, last updated 2005.
- Pakistan Military Review (October 2012) – ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle AEW&C in Google Earth.
- Pakistan Military Review (November 2011) – Pakistani Saab-2000 Erieye AEW&C at Dubai Air Show 2011. The UAE bought a pair of similar Saab S340-AEW aircraft for its own use in 2009, and Saudi Arabia bought an S2000 in 2010.
- Flight International (Sept 11/09) – DSEi: Saab 2000 offered for maritime patrol, signals intelligence tasks
- Flight International (April 30/08) – Saab scans AEW market for new Erieye buyers
- Flight International (April 30/08) – PICTURES: Pakistan’s first Saab AEW&C system emerges
- Aviation Week (Feb 13/08) – Low-Cost and Effective AEW Systems Find Buyers
- DID – Indian AWACS Moving Forward on 2 Fronts. A large IL-76 Phalcon system, and a smaller system based on Embraer’s ERJ-145 regional jet, using a radar similar to the Erieye. As usual, India is insisting on local development, and so they’re fielding systems later than Pakistan.
