NATO to Replace Ageing AWACS Fleet with Swedish Saab GlobalEye Jets
NATO plans to replace its ageing fleet of U.S.-built AWACS surveillance aircraft with Swedish-made Saab GlobalEye jets, four sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The decision, expected to be announced at a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7–8, could stir tensions with the United States, which has urged allies to buy more American defence equipment.
The alliance's current Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, equipped with distinctive nine-metre-wide radar domes, have been in service since 1982. The 14 planes, based at Geilenkirchen air base in Germany, have played a crucial role in surveillance missions along NATO's eastern flank since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Under the replacement plan, Geilenkirchen could become home to the world's largest fleet of GlobalEye aircraft, the sources said. The GlobalEye, which entered service in 2018, is designed to detect and track threats across air, land, and sea. It is built on the Global 6500 business jet platform by Canada's Bombardier.
The choice of the Swedish aircraft over Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail comes after NATO dropped plans to buy six E-7s in 2025, following the Pentagon's scrapping of its own order for 26 of the jets to focus on satellite-based capabilities. However, under pressure from U.S. lawmakers, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Congressional panel in May that the Pentagon was seeking to restore funding for the Wedgetail programme.
Canada, which has said it wants to reduce dependence on U.S. defence suppliers, announced plans to buy six GlobalEye aircraft in recent weeks—the largest single order for the jet so far. NATO's purchase is expected to be larger, though the exact number of jets is not yet clear. One source said the final number may depend on whether NATO opts for a more expensive version capable of mid-air refuelling, a capability the current AWACS fleet possesses that has proven valuable for missions near Ukraine.
The AWACS aircraft are among the few military assets owned directly by NATO, operated by crews from 21 of the alliance's 32 member states. They provide a common radar picture for allied forces and can direct combat jets to targets. The fleet has supported missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as security operations during the 2006 World Cup in Germany and major international summits.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed that a decision on the AWACS replacement would be announced at the summit but declined to provide details. Saab declined to comment. The move highlights ongoing shifts in defence procurement among Western allies, with European nations increasingly seeking alternatives to U.S. equipment.
