Nato has unveiled plans to acquire up to 10 Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft in a $4.5 billion programme to replace its ageing AWACS fleet of Boeing E 3 Sentry.Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said replacing the alliance's cold war era airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft with the Saab GlobalEye will significantly strengthen its ability to counter modern battlefield threats, particularly large scale drone swarms."This will ensure we keep Nato's surveillance and early warning capability strong and credible for decades to come," he said during an event at a Nato summit.Rutte took pains to underline the international pedigree of the system which is mounted on top of Bombardier Global 6500 business jets."Like its predecessor, GlobalEye is a transatlantic programme, delivered by European and Canadian industries with essential contributions from US industries.
It is a real success story, again, made in Nato," he told delegates.The announcement comes despite repeated calls by President Donald Trump for Nato allies to increase defence spending while prioritising the purchase of American military equipment.
Saab's GlobalEye was selected over Boeing's E 7 Wedgetail, marking a rare instance of Nato opting for a European instead of a competing American platform.Saab CEO Micael Johansson valued the purchase at up to $4.5 billion and told reporters that the Swedish group would be able to start deliveries in 2030 if a deal were signed soon.He said the final contract value is yet to be finalised, with each GlobalEye aircraft expected to cost between $400 million and $450 million.
