The reported plan involves the purchase of 12 aircraft to replace the current Boeing E-3 Sentry fleet. These aircraft are operated by NATO’s multinational Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, based in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Efforts to identify a successor platform began in November 2025. At that time, NATO withdrew from a planned acquisition of six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft due to concerns over potential programme disruption in the United States.
If confirmed, the joint purchase of Saab GlobalEye aircraft would represent a significant outcome for Sweden and the manufacturer. To date, five systems have been delivered to the United Arab Emirates, while further orders are in progress for Sweden and France.
The GlobalEye system includes a radar capable of detecting and tracking targets at distances of up to 650 kilometres. It can also be equipped with an electro-optical sensor and a maritime surveillance radar.
The system is mounted on either the Bombardier Global 6000 or Global 6500 aircraft. Both platforms offer an endurance of around 11 hours, although they do not currently support aerial refuelling.
NATO’s current fleet comprises 14 E-3 Sentry aircraft. Four additional aircraft have been withdrawn from service and are used as a source of spare parts.
These aircraft continue to carry out patrol missions, particularly along NATO’s eastern flank. Operations include flights over Polish airspace and long-range reconnaissance of areas near Belarus and Ukraine.
