Pak receives 2nd AWAC system from Sweden

Pakistan has received second of the four Saab-2000 airborne early warning and control system aircraft ordered from Sweden, boosting its capability to monitor Indian airspace.

A statement issued by the Pakistan Air Force said the Saab-2000 aircraft landed at an operational base on Saturday and would shortly be inducted into the fleet.

Two more Saab-2000 aircraft equipped with the Erieye radar system are likely to be delivered to Pakistan by Sweden later this year.

The Dawn newspaper quoted an unnamed official as saying that the Erieye radar system mounted on the turboprop aircraft will enable the PAF to detect "all aircraft taking off and landing at all forward Indian airbases near Pakistan" and to identify the type of the aircraft, their weapons systems and their direction of flight.

The capabilities and range of the radar system will enable the PAF to "receive early warning in case of pre-emptive attacks from across the border," the official said.

Pakistan is also conducting negotiations with China for four more airborne warning and control aircraft and these are likely to be inducted by 2012.