NATO Selects Sweden's Saab GlobalEye to Replace Aging AWACS Fleet

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced that the Alliance has officially selected the GlobalEye aircraft, manufactured by the Swedish company Saab, to replace its aging fleet of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes. According to a statement from Sweden's government, this decision paves the way for negotiations to purchase up to 10 such aircraft.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that this is a major day for Sweden's defense industry and a result of long-term cooperation between government agencies and Saab. He noted that the decision reflects Sweden's serious commitment to defense and security. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard highlighted that the GlobalEye is the product of collaboration among several countries and that the selection demonstrates the international competitiveness of Swedish industry. Defense Minister Paul Jonson added that the GlobalEye provides the advanced situational awareness needed to counter a range of threats, including drones and missiles.

The current NATO AWACS fleet consists of 14 aircraft, which have been in service since 1982. Based at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany, these planes have been extensively used for surveillance missions along NATO's eastern flank since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine. Reports from April indicated that NATO planned to move away from relying on US-made aircraft in modernizing its reconnaissance fleet. Media had previously reported that the choice had been made in favor of Saab's GlobalEye.