Thailand's first Saab 340 Erieye AEW at its maiden flight together with the first Royal Thai Air Force Gripen.

07:49 GMT, November 17, 2009 The first Saab 340 Erieye AEW, Airborne Early Warning, for Thailand completed its maiden flight together with the first Royal Thai Air Force Gripen on November 13.

The Saab 340 Erieye AEW flight took two hours and 14 minutes and was executed by Magnus Fredriksson and Åke Wargh from Saab.

"The flight went as expected and we tested all the basic aircraft systems. We now look forward to continuing the tests in order to then be able to deliver the aircraft to Thailand," says Magnus Fredriksson.


A complete aircraft and command and control system

In 2008, Thailand ordered a complete aircraft and command and control system from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in a Government to Government deal. The order includes six Gripen C/D with associated equipment and service, a Saab 340 AEW equipped with Erieye radar and data links, one Saab 340 aircraft for transport and training plus a command and control system with data links.

During November and in the spring further flights will be realized, interoperability trials will be carried out along with the other elements of the Thailand order.