Eleven NATO allies agree to purchase the Saab GlobalEye as a new early warning system.
Eleven allied countries will jointly purchase the Saab GlobalEye to serve as the new Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) for NATO, according to an announcement made at the Defense Industry Forum of the alliance in Ankara. NATO officially announced the decision on July 7, 2026.
The eleven participating countries are: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. The program aims to replace part of the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry fleet that has served the alliance for many years. NATO did not disclose the number of aircraft, the value of the contract, or the delivery schedule.
Multi-Domain Surveillance
NATO stated that GlobalEye will provide “advanced multi-domain surveillance in the air, on land, and at sea from a single platform.” The system is expected to contribute to detecting threats such as swarms of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
What is GlobalEye?
According to Saab, GlobalEye is an early warning and control aircraft that integrates the long-range Erieye ER active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on a Bombardier Global business jet airframe. It can track air, sea, and land targets simultaneously from a single platform. The aircraft is already in service with several operators; NATO’s decision may pave the way for its wider deployment within the alliance.
Why is it important?
Early warning aircraft monitor air and maritime activity from tens of kilometers behind the battlefield, providing early warning and command and control for fighters and air defense systems. After decades of service, the need to update the E-3 Sentry fleet has pushed the alliance towards a next-generation solution. The announcement described the project as “an example of close transatlantic industrial cooperation,” referring to contributions from European, Canadian, and American industries.
Sources
- NATO – “The new NATO airborne warning and control system has been announced” – July 7, 2026. Link
- Saab corporate product information – for configuring the GlobalEye platform and its radar.
