ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) received on Tuesday its first Airborne Early Warning and Control system-equipped SAAB 2000 plane. Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman handed over the aircraft to PAF during a ceremony at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.

Suleman said the SAAB 2000, bought from Sweden for $1.2 billion, would enable PAF to detect air and ground early warnings.

The chief of air staff said Pakistan initiated negotiations to acquire the technology from Sweden in 2002, adding that the SAAB 2000 has the capability to detect static and moving targets.

The aircraft have been specially developed to PAF’s requirements. The aircraft will also be equipped with electronic surveillance support systems for intelligence gathering and a full set of defensive aids.

The PAF chief said Pakistan will shortly get further F16s equipped with the latest technology from the US.