07 jul 2026
NATO Selects Saab GlobalEye to Replace E-3 AWACS Fleet
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that a number of allies decided to procure up to ten Saab GlobalEye aircraft to replace the aging E-3 AWACS fleet. After months of anticipation, NATO has officially selected the Saab GlobalEye as its next Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, replacing the aging E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). The decision was announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the summit in Ankara, Turkey. Rutte said that a number of allies have jointly decided to acquire the GlobalEye and create a fleet of up to ten aircraft.
across the coverage
Selection confirmed on first day of annual summit meeting. NATO is to begin negotiations with Saab for a planned purchase of up to 10 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. Announced on the opening day of the NATO Summit in Ankara on 7 July, the selection “marks a significant step in modernising NATO’s airborne surveillance and early warning capabilities by replacing part of the Alliance’s ageing Boeing E-3 fleet”, the transatlantic organisation says.
flight globalNATO allies are jointly procuring up to 10 Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning aircraft to replace the alliance’s E-3 Sentry fleet, in the headline announcement of a series of multinational procurement projects unveiled at the Ankara summit. Secretary General Mark Rutte said the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet has been NATO’s eyes in the skies for decades, deployed from northern Norway to southern Türkiye, but the aircraft are reaching the end of their lives.
uk defence journal
coverage · 3 outlets
- 09:28uk defence journal
NATO buys GlobalEye AWACS replacement and more Tritons
- 10:15flight global
NATO confirms GlobalEye selection for AWACS replacement need
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