France to buy advanced spy planes from Sweden's Saab

France plans to purchase GlobalEye advanced surveillance aircraft from Swedish defense company Saab, the company announced Wednesday.

France's defense procurement agency and Saab signed a declaration of intent at the Paris Air Show for an initial two aircraft, with an option for two more.

The potential deal also covers ground equipment, training, and support services, according to Saab.

While a final contract has not yet been signed, the company said the French agency expects a deal to be finalized in the coming months.

The GlobalEye system is an airborne early warning and control, or AEW&C, platform that provides long-range detection of objects in the air, at sea, and over land.

Saab's President and CEO, Micael Johansson, said the system "will enhance the French Armed Forces’ situational awareness and threat detection across the air, land and sea domains."

"Our solution will enable France to maintain full sovereign control of its airborne early warning and control capability,” Mr. Johansson added.

The potential French order adds to existing customers for the GlobalEye, which include Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

The announcement follows other recent successes for Saab, including Thailand's selection of its Gripen fighter jet for its air force.