NATO Selects Saab GlobalEye to Replace Aging US-Made AWACS Fleet
At a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced formal negotiations with Sweden’s Saab to acquire up to ten GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, replacing the alliance’s 14 aging Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS planes. The decision, driven by the US cancellation of its own Boeing E-7 Wedgetail order, marks the first time since 1988 that a non-American manufacturer will supply NATO’s core airborne early warning capability. The GlobalEye, based on a Bombardier Global 6500 jet, can track drones, hypersonic missiles, and other threats across air, land, and sea.
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Sweden's GlobalEye radar planes to complement NATO's fleet, says air force chief
Swedish Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman stated that Sweden's three Saab GlobalEye radar planes are a separate but vital complement to NATO's order of 10 GlobalEyes, announced at the July 2026 NATO summit. Wikman emphasized that the Swedish fleet will provide airborne early warning and control (AEW) for 'all domains,' not just air control, and he has initiated dialogue with NATO on operational concepts. Sweden donated two older Saab 340 radar planes to Ukraine and awaits delivery of its new GlobalEyes by 2027. Meanwhile, Boeing executives defended their E-7 Wedgetail after NATO chose the GlobalEye, and the U.S. Air Force is backing space-based capabilities. Sweden launched its first space-based ISR satellite in May and plans to integrate space data with the GlobalEye fleet.
Defense One - All ContentNATO Selects Saab GlobalEye for Next-Generation Airborne Early Warning
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Swedish defense firm Saab to procure up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The decision is part of NATO's broader modernization of reconnaissance, surveillance, and situational awareness capabilities. GlobalEye combines the Saab Erieye Extended Range radar with a modern sensor suite and multi-domain Command and Control system on a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet platform. It is designed to detect difficult targets including stealth aircraft, drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, even under complex operational conditions. Saab CEO Micael Johansson expressed honor at supporting NATO with this capability. No contract has been signed yet; Saab will now enter formal negotiations with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to finalize the procurement contract.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikNATO Selects Saab GlobalEye for Next-Generation Airborne Early Warning
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Saab to procure up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The decision is part of NATO's broader modernization of reconnaissance, surveillance, and situational awareness capabilities. GlobalEye, based on the Bombardier Global 6500 platform, features the Saab Erieye Extended Range radar and a multi-domain Command and Control system. It is designed to detect stealth targets, drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles even under complex conditions. Saab CEO Micael Johansson expressed honor at the selection, noting GlobalEye's proven performance and adaptability. No contract has been signed yet; negotiations will proceed with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikNATO Selects Saab's GlobalEye for Next-Generation Airborne Early Warning
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Saab to procure up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The decision is part of NATO's modernization of reconnaissance, surveillance, and situational awareness capabilities. GlobalEye, built on a Bombardier Global 6500 platform with Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar, provides long-range air surveillance capable of detecting stealth targets, drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles even under complex conditions. Saab CEO Micael Johansson expressed honor at supporting NATO with this next-generation capability. Formal contract negotiations will now proceed with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). No contract has been signed or order received yet.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikNATO selects Saab GlobalEye over Boeing E-7 for next-generation radar planes
NATO allies announced on July 7, 2026, the joint procurement of up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft to replace the alliance's aging Boeing E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet. The decision, announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Turkey, snubs Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail offering. The deal is estimated to be worth around $4.5 billion, with deliveries potentially beginning in 2030. Eleven NATO member states—Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden—are participating in the procurement. Analysts cited the Pentagon's initial decision to request no funding for the E-7 in the 2027 budget as a key factor influencing NATO's choice, calling it an 'own goal' for the U.S. The Pentagon later reversed this decision, but the damage had been done. Saab's GlobalEye uses sensors mounted on a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to detect drones, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic threats.
Defense One - All ContentNATO selects Saab GlobalEye over Boeing E-7 for next-generation radar planes
NATO announced on July 7, 2026, that it will replace its aging Boeing E-3 AWACS fleet with up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft, snubbing Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail. The decision, announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, involves 11 allied nations: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. Saab CEO Micael Johansson estimated the deal at around $4.5 billion, with deliveries potentially starting in 2030. Analysts cited the Pentagon's initial decision to request no E-7 funding in the 2027 budget—later reversed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—as a key factor in NATO's choice. The GlobalEye, based on a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, is designed to detect drones, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic threats. Boeing defended its E-7 as the most capable and mature system, but NATO's formal announcement confirmed the alliance's preference for the Swedish offering.
Defense One - All ContentNATO selects Saab GlobalEye over Boeing E-7 for next-generation radar planes
NATO allies announced on July 7, 2026, the joint procurement of up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft to replace the alliance's aging Boeing E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet. The decision, announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Turkey, represents a significant snub to Boeing and its E-7 Wedgetail offering. Saab CEO Micael Johansson estimated the deal at around $4.5 billion, with deliveries potentially beginning in 2030. The selection was influenced by the Pentagon's initial decision to request no funding for the E-7 in the 2027 budget—a move later reversed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Analyst J.J. Gertler described the Pentagon's waffling as an 'own goal.' Participating nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. Boeing defended its E-7 as the most capable and mature system available, while Saab highlighted the GlobalEye's proven capability and adaptability.
Defense One - All ContentNATO Selects Saab GlobalEye to Replace Aging E-3 AWACS Fleet
NATO announced at its summit in Ankara, Turkey, that it will begin formal negotiations with Saab to acquire up to 10 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, replacing its aging fleet of 14 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS. The GlobalEye, based on a Bombardier Global 6500 bizjet airframe and equipped with Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar, was selected after NATO dropped a previous plan to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetails due to strategic and financial concerns. The decision follows orders for the GlobalEye by Sweden, France, and Canada, and comes amid a broader NATO defense spending push that includes new drones, maritime patrol aircraft, tankers, and airlifters. NATO aims to have the new aircraft operational by 2031, ahead of the E-3's planned retirement in 2035. The alliance's AEW&C replacement program includes Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, and the Netherlands, though the United States withdrew earlier.
TWZNATO Selects Saab GlobalEye to Replace Aging E-3 AWACS Fleet
NATO announced it will begin formal negotiations with Saab to acquire up to 10 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, replacing its aging fleet of 14 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS. The decision was made during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The GlobalEye, based on a Bombardier Global 6500 bizjet airframe with Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar, was selected after NATO dropped its earlier plan to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetails due to strategic and financial concerns. The GlobalEye is already in service or selected by Sweden, France, and Canada. NATO aims to have the new aircraft operational by 2031-2035, as the E-3 fleet reaches end of life. The acquisition is part of a broader NATO defense spending drive, with growing demand for surveillance capabilities driven by Russia's aggression and drone incursions near NATO airspace.
TWZNATO Picks Saab GlobalEye To Replace Aging E-3 AWACS Fleet
NATO has selected Saab's GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to replace its aging fleet of 14 Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS. The decision was announced during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, by Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said formal negotiations with Saab will begin immediately. The alliance plans to acquire up to 10 GlobalEyes, which combine Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar and command and control systems on a Bombardier Global 6500 bizjet airframe. The selection follows a previous plan to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetails, which was dropped in November 2023 due to loss of strategic and financial basis. The GlobalEye is already in service or selected by Sweden, France, and Canada. NATO aims to have the new aircraft operational by 2031, ahead of the E-3 fleet's retirement by 2035. The announcement comes amid a broader NATO defense spending drive and growing demand for surveillance capabilities on the alliance's eastern flank.
TWZNATO Selects Saab's GlobalEye as New AWACS, Begins Formal Negotiations
NATO has announced the start of formal negotiations with Swedish defense firm Saab to acquire up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems. The decision was announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a summit in Ankara, Turkey. Eleven NATO member states—Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden—have agreed to jointly procure the system to replace the Alliance's aging Boeing E-3 AWACS fleet. The GlobalEye integrates Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar with multi-domain sensors and command-and-control systems on a Bombardier Global 6500 platform, capable of 11-hour flights and tracking drones, stealth threats, and hypersonic missiles. Saab has not yet signed a contract but will negotiate with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson highlighted the system's advanced situational awareness capabilities.
Airforce TechnologyNATO Begins Formal Negotiations with Saab for GlobalEye AWACS Aircraft
NATO has announced the start of formal negotiations with Swedish defense company Saab regarding the potential acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The GlobalEye is a modern surveillance platform designed to provide advanced airborne early warning, battle management, and command and control capabilities. This move signals NATO's intent to modernize its aging AWACS fleet, which currently relies on Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft. The negotiations, if successful, would enhance NATO's ability to monitor airspace and detect threats across vast areas. The deal underscores the alliance's focus on maintaining technological superiority in airborne surveillance and reconnaissance.
Airforce TechnologyNATO Selects Saab's GlobalEye as New AWACS, Begins Negotiations
NATO has announced the start of formal negotiations with Swedish defense firm Saab to acquire up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems. The announcement was made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a summit in Ankara, Turkey. Eleven NATO member states—Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden—have agreed to jointly procure the system to replace the Alliance's aging Boeing E-3 AWACS fleet. The GlobalEye integrates Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar with multi-domain sensors and a command-and-control system on a Bombardier Global 6500 platform, capable of over 11 hours of flight. It is designed to detect drones, stealth threats, and hypersonic missiles even in jamming environments. Saab has not yet signed a contract but will continue discussions with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson highlighted the system's advanced situational awareness capabilities.
Airforce TechnologyNATO Modernizes AWACS Fleet with Bombardier and Saab GlobalEye, Abandons US Boeing Plan
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a major shift in the alliance's airborne early warning capabilities. Instead of the originally planned US Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, NATO will acquire up to ten Bombardier Global 6000 or Global 6500 jets equipped with the Swedish Saab GlobalEye reconnaissance and early warning system. The decision follows the US government's withdrawal from the Boeing program last summer. GlobalEye provides simultaneous monitoring of air, sea, and ground domains, detecting drone swarms, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had previously signaled support for the Swedish option. Germany is expected to cover the largest portion of the multi-billion-euro cost. Additionally, NATO announced the delivery of a tenth Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, moving toward a full fleet of twelve. The existing fleet of aging Boeing 707-based AWACS aircraft, stationed in Geilenkirchen, Germany, is being retired after decades of service.
taz.de - taz.deNATO Selects Swedish Saab GlobalEye to Replace Aging US-Made AWACS Fleet
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the alliance will open formal negotiations with Swedish defense firm Saab to acquire up to ten GlobalEye surveillance aircraft. This decision would retire NATO's fleet of 14 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS planes, which have been in service since 1982. The move marks a historic shift, giving the alliance's core airborne surveillance mission to a non-American manufacturer for the first time since 1988. The GlobalEye, built on a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet airframe, features Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar and can track low-observable aircraft, drones, and hypersonic missiles. NATO initially selected Boeing's E-7A Wedgetail in 2023, but that plan collapsed after the US Air Force canceled its own Wedgetail order in 2025. Despite US pressure to buy American, NATO chose the Swedish platform. Saab has stated no contract has been signed yet, and formal negotiations with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency are pending.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsNATO plans to replace AWACS with Saab GlobalEye jets, sources say
NATO plans to replace its aging fleet of 14 U.S.-built AWACS surveillance aircraft with Swedish Saab GlobalEye jets, according to four sources. The announcement is expected at a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. The move could strain relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged allies to buy more American defense equipment. NATO dropped plans in 2025 to buy six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft after the Pentagon scrapped its own order for 26 jets, shifting focus to satellite-based capabilities. Canada recently ordered six GlobalEye jets, the largest order so far. NATO's purchase is expected to be larger, with Geilenkirchen air base in Germany potentially hosting the world's largest GlobalEye fleet. The GlobalEye, based on Bombardier's Global 6500 business jet, can detect threats across air, land, and sea. The current AWACS fleet, operated by 21 of 32 NATO members, has supported missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine.
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