Ericsson selected by Greece to supply AEW&C

Ericsson selected by Greece to supply AEW&C The Government of Greece today announced the selection of Ericsson as supplier of the ERIEYE AEW&C system to the Hellenic Air Force. The bid comprises four systems integrated on EMB 145 jet aircraft. All systems are fully NATO- interoperable and deliveries will start three years after contract. The final contract is valued more than USD 500 million (SEK 4 billion). This is the first export success for the European industrial cooperation between Ericsson and Thomson-CSF which was announced in March 1998 and together with Embraer of Brazil the companies form the winning industrial consortium. It is also a major milestone for the ERIEYE AEW&C system, the world's most modern and highly available AEW&C system in operational service. It is now in service in the Swedish Air Force, in series production for Brazil and currently under consideration by a number of countries in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific. The president of Ericsson Microwave Systems, Jan-Åke Kark, said in a statement today: "This is one of the single largest contracts ever for Ericsson and we are confident that we will come to an agreement soon after detailed contract negotiations starts. It is also a major break through for ERIEYE within NATO and the selection of ERIEYE is a selection of Information Superiority through modern technology which indicates a new way of looking at AEW&C." "It is clear that the Swedish Government and Swedish authorities have had a significant role in supporting this business to come through, each part acting in their own role," says Jan-Åke Kark. The selection of ERIEYE is done in great competition and it reconfirms that customers are moving towards this new generation AEW&C system. "This is the second export success on ERIEYE within two years time besides the contract to the Swedish Air Force, and it reflects not only the competitiveness of the ERIEYE concept but also an independent and far-seeing customer," says Jan-Åke Kark. "The selection of ERIEYE is the start of a long relationship and industrial obligations. Together with the Greek Government we will now develop our intention on industrial co-operation and transfer of technology building on software development not only for the ERIEYE system but also for the telecom area," ends Mr Kark. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Lennart Joelsson, General Manager, AEW Systems Division Ericsson Microwave Systems AB Phone +46 31 747 3334 Göran Hedborg, Marketing Director, AEW Systems Division Ericsson Microwave Systems AB Phone +30 941 46306 or +301 960 1441 Henrik Brehmer, Director of Information Ericsson Microwave Systems AB Phone +46 31 747 6537 or +46 70 547 1956 Anastácio Katsanos, Senior Manager, Embraer Phone +55 12 345 1070 Emmanuel Grave, General Manager, Airborne Radars Unit Thomson-CSF Phone +33 01 34 59 53 40 For images and press kit, please contact: Ericsson Microwave Systems AB, Information Department. Fax +46 31 277891 or email: Annette.Richthoff@emw.ericsson.se.