Saab and Ericsson in Pakistan surveillance deal
Pakistan has signed a contract with two Swedish companies for a land surveillance system that could have been useful in emergency operations arising from the earthquake in Kashmir, the aircraft maker Saab announced on Wednesday.
The system operates aboard a Saab 2000 turbo-propelled aircraft, relying on the Erieye on-board radar system developed by Ericsson Microwave Systems, a subsidiary of the telecom giant Ericsson, a news release stated.
Saab will receive two thirds of the 8.3 million Swedish kronor (878 million-euro, one-billion-dollar) contract and Ericsson will get the other third.
Saab said the surveillance system would be used together with ground-based radars "to provide a more detailed picture" to assist rescue operations and help Pakistan face "different threats to the country".
"In the aftermath of the severe earthquake, the system would have been able to play a significant part in the search and rescue operations" and in logistical support, the statement read.
Saab added that "important conditions remain to be settled" before the contract becomes effective.
The number of Saab 2000 aircraft in the contract was not specified by Saab but the popular Swedish daily Aftonbladet put the total at six.
The earthquake in Kashmir on October 8 caused the deaths of 47,700 people and injured 67,000, according to the latest toll announced Wednesday by the military head of emergency operations, General Farooq Ahmad Khan.
AFP
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The system operates aboard a Saab 2000 turbo-propelled aircraft, relying on the Erieye on-board radar system developed by Ericsson Microwave Systems, a subsidiary of the telecom giant Ericsson, a news release stated.
Saab will receive two thirds of the 8.3 million Swedish kronor (878 million-euro, one-billion-dollar) contract and Ericsson will get the other third.
Saab said the surveillance system would be used together with ground-based radars "to provide a more detailed picture" to assist rescue operations and help Pakistan face "different threats to the country".
"In the aftermath of the severe earthquake, the system would have been able to play a significant part in the search and rescue operations" and in logistical support, the statement read.
Saab added that "important conditions remain to be settled" before the contract becomes effective.
The number of Saab 2000 aircraft in the contract was not specified by Saab but the popular Swedish daily Aftonbladet put the total at six.
The earthquake in Kashmir on October 8 caused the deaths of 47,700 people and injured 67,000, according to the latest toll announced Wednesday by the military head of emergency operations, General Farooq Ahmad Khan.
AFP
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