“This system is an expensive system, and there’s no way to provide it with local resources,” he told state media Oct. 29. “We need a strategic partner.”

“There are potential ballistic missile threats against Jordan,” he added, without specifying them.

Jordan does not host American bases, Hiyari said, but the U.S. does have a presence in the country to train Jordanian forces and provide upgrades and maintenance to equipment. In January 2021, the countries signed a defense cooperation agreement, which gives the U.S. “unimpeded access” to certain Jordanian facilities.

Also on Sunday, the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces dismissed allegations that U.S. aircraft were using local air bases to supply Israel with equipment and ammunition for use in the Israel-Hamas war.

The military alleged the aim of such allegations is to undermine Jordan’s steadfast support of Palestine and to tarnish the reputation of its armed forces. It said Jordanian field hospitals are attending to the casualties from attacks on in the Gaza Strip and the Royal Jordanian Air Force remains committed to delivering humanitarian and relief aid to Palestinians.

The Jordanian government called for an end to violence in Gaza and warned of dangerous repercussions. It has also condemned Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people and emphasized Jordan’s role in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The Swedish made early warning sensors will be fitted in to the Bombardier Global 6000 platform, said Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al Hashimi, UAE Ministry of Defence executive director of strategic analysis.

Saab CEO and President Håkan Buskhe described the technology present on the aircraft as a “game changer for early warning systems.”

The technology onboard the Global 6000 has increased endurance from the previous version, Buskhe said, adding that the sensor suite was developed and upgraded from its previous version. The UAE will be the first user of this design.

“The early warning aircraft will have a full swing role for air to air, air to ground and air to sea surveillance,” Bushke said.

“The sensor systems in development were tested in many platforms but we found that the Global 6000 was the best one,” he added.

A delivery date, Al Hashimi said, has not been decided upon.

The deal between Saab and the UAE, which was penned Sunday at the Dubai Airshow, included upgrades to two previously purchased Saab 340 aircraft equipped with Erieye active-array radars that can scan large airspace volumes, and with related command and control systems.

In November 2009, the UAE purchased two Saab 340 regional turboprops worth $220 million.

“This is a boost for our surveillance capabilities and it aligns with our ongoing strategy,” Al Hashimi said.

Analysts have identified early warning systems as a gap in GCC capabilities.

Email: amustafa@defensenews.com

Twitter: @Awadz