11 NATO allies have agreed on the joint procurement of the Saab GlobalEye as the new early warning aircraft.
According to a statement made at the Defense Industry Forum organized by NATO in Ankara, 11 allied countries will jointly procure the Saab GlobalEye aircraft as the alliance’s new Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). The decision was officially announced by NATO on July 7, 2026.
The 11 allies participating in the joint procurement are listed as follows: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. The program aims to replace a portion of the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry fleet that the alliance has been using for many years. The NATO statement did not provide details regarding the number of aircraft to be procured, the contract value, or the delivery schedule.
Multidomain surveillance capability
NATO’s statement noted that GlobalEye would provide “advanced, multidomain surveillance in air, land, and sea domains from a single platform.” The system is expected to contribute to the detection of threats such as drone swarms, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
What is GlobalEye?
According to Saab’s data, GlobalEye is an early warning and control aircraft that carries a long-range Erieye ER active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar integrated onto a Bombardier Global business jet airframe. It can simultaneously monitor air, sea, and land targets from the same platform. The system is already present in the inventories of various countries; NATO’s decision may pave the way for the aircraft’s widespread adoption across the alliance.
Why is it important?
Early warning aircraft provide early warning and command-control for fighter jets and air defense systems by detecting air and sea movements dozens of kilometers beyond the battlefield. The need for modernization of the E-3 Sentry fleet after decades of service has directed NATO towards a new generation solution. The statement describing the project as “an example of close transatlantic industrial cooperation” indicates the contributions of European, Canadian, and U.S. industries.
Sources
- NATO – “NATO’s new Airborne Warning and Control System is announced” – July 7, 2026. The scope of the decision, the list of 11 allies, the replacement of the E-3 fleet, and official quotes were used. Link
- Saab corporate product information – Used for GlobalEye’s platform and radar configuration.
