Field Aviation has won a competitive bid to supply the Swedish Coastguard with three maritime surveillance (MSA) aircraft.

It has taken delivery of the first of three Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 aircraft. The aircraft will be converted to the full Swedish MSA configuration at Field's Toronto facility.

All three aircraft are due to be handed over to the Swedish government by the end of next year.

Joseph Farrell, Field's ceo, said the company was building on its reputation for the modification of aircraft platforms into airborne surveillance and patrol aircraft.

Dash 8 MSA are in service with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency and with the Australian Customs Service Coastwatch.

The Swedish MSAs will be able to conduct search and rescue, maritime sovereignty patrol, interdiction, medevac and other first-response roles.

The basic Dash 8 Q300 aircraft platform will be equipped with long range fuel tanks for eight-hours plus flights and an auxiliary power unit. Field will outfit the aircraft with maritime search radar, an electro-optical/infra-red pod, side-looking radar and an infra-red line scanner.

Farrell said: "Field's recently certificated air-operable rear door will allow the coastguard to deploy location flares, oil sampling buoys and larger items such as inflatable life rafts as required."