April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 3: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has inducted the SAAB 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system in its fleet.

According to an official announcement, the PAF achieved a major landmark with the rollout of its first SAAB 2000 AEW&C at a ceremony at a Saab facility in Sweden.

Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, said: “The acquisition of airborne early warning capability by the PAF will greatly enhance the PAF’s defensive capability and it is an essential part of its modernisation efforts.”

He said AEW&C would provide a much needed boost to Pakistan’s security capability.

Official sources told Dawn that the PAF had finalised a deal in July 2006 to acquire six turboprop planes from Sweden, but the deal was re-negotiated in 2007 and now Pakistan would buy five planes.