Swedish-made surveillance planes to replace NATO’s ageing US fleet

Swedish-made aircraft are set to replace NATO’s ageing US-built surveillance fleet.

At the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, NATO and the Swedish government announced that the military alliance had chosen GlobalEye, an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system made by Swedish defence company Saab, as the replacement for NATO’s current Boeing E-3A aircraft.

NATO plans to open negotiations with Saab to purchase up to 10 GlobalEye aircraft, according to an announcement by the Swedish government.

What is the Early Warning & Control System?

An Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system is a modified aircraft fitted with long-range radar, sensors and command-and-control systems.