Eleven NATO allies will jointly procure the Saab GlobalEye as a new AEW&C aircraft.

Eleven allied countries will jointly procure the Saab GlobalEye aircraft as NATO’s new Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) — this was announced at the NATO Defense Industry Forum in Ankara. The decision was officially announced by NATO on July 7, 2026.

The eleven participating allies are: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. The program aims to replace part of the aging fleet of Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft. NATO did not disclose the number of aircraft, the contract value, or the delivery schedule.

Multi-domain Surveillance

According to NATO, GlobalEye will provide “advanced multi-domain surveillance in the air, on land, and at sea from a single platform.” The system is expected to aid in the detection of threats such as swarms of drones, ballistic and cruise missiles.

What is GlobalEye?

According to Saab, GlobalEye is an AWACS aircraft that combines the Erieye ER radar with a long-range active phased array antenna (AESA) on the airframe of the Bombardier Global business jet. From a single platform, it can simultaneously track air, sea, and ground targets. The aircraft is already in operation with several operators; NATO’s decision may pave the way for broader use within the alliance.

Why This Matters

AWACS aircraft detect air and sea activity from tens of kilometers away from the battlefield, providing early warning and control for fighters and air defense systems. After decades of service, the need to modernize the E-3 Sentry fleet prompted NATO to pursue a new generation solution. Calling the project “an example of close transatlantic industrial cooperation,” NATO highlighted the contributions of European, Canadian, and American industries.

Sources

1. NATO – “NATO’s new Airborne Warning and Control System is announced” – July 7, 2026. Link
2. Corporate information from Saab – for the configuration of the GlobalEye platform and radar.