Could be interesting for Pakistan. I would still favor the Y-8s latest MPA version because of its ability to carry Chinese missiles.
Farnborough 2014: Saab shows off new Swordfish MPA
Gareth Jennings, Farnborough - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
14 July 2014
A model of the Saab 2000 Swordfish MPA was displayed on the company's stand at Farnborough, with a poster of the Saab 340 MSA in the background. Source: IHS/Gareth Jennings
Saab's concept for an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) broke cover on 14 July with a scale model being displayed at the Farnborough Airshow.
Although the company has previously revealed the existence of its Saab 2000 Swordfish MPA, Farnborough marked the first time that officials were openly discussing the project to the press, which could for the first time see a scale representation of the platform.
The campaign leader for the Swordfish, Matthew Smith, told
IHS Jane's that the aircraft has been in development for a number of years, and that it is now ready to be offered to the market place.
As noted by Smith, the MPA build on the heritage of the Saab 2000 Erieye airborne warning and control platform, and utilises many of its electronic warfare and self-protection systems as well as mission equipment hardware (work consoles) for type commonality. It is also intended to be a complement, rather than a rival, to the Saab 340 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), which is geared more towards the civil coastguard market.
A cutaway display of the MPA also seen on the stand gives a view of the aircraft's internal workings. (IHS/Gareth Jennings)
"We know the customer needs around ASW, and our concept is advanced and sound," Smith said. "It uses world-leading commercial off-the-shelf systems and sensors in cost-effective platforms".
These systems and sensors include the Selex 7500 Seaspray maritime surveillance radar, a FLIR Systems electro-optical/infrared turret, Automatic Identification System and Direction Finder, satellite communications, electronic support measures, and self-protection pods as well as tactical datalinks. Internally, four mission stations are provided, as are auxiliary fuel tanks, a rotating sonobuoy launcher, and in-flight-operable cargo door for the dropping of life rafts and the like.
Smith declined to comment on the Swordfish's potential weapons load, or even if these would be carried on underwing hardpoints or in an internal bay. While he did say that Saab is in discussions with a number of interested parties, he chose not to name them at this time.
