NATO has officially selected Saab’s GlobalEye platform, based on the Bombardier Global 6500, as its new airborne early warning and control system. Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary‑General, announced that negotiations will begin for up to ten GlobalEye aircraft, a move that could end more than four decades of reliance on U.S. systems.
The decision gives Saab a chance to surpass American competitors such as Boeing’s E‑7A Wedgetail and L3Harris’s AERIS platform. In recent years, NATO members have increasingly directed defense spending toward non‑U.S. industry, a trend that was also seen when Canada chose GlobalEye in May.
Saab CEO Michael Johansson said the company is confident that GlobalEye offers proven capability, flexibility and long‑term operational superiority. Orders have already been placed by the UAE, Sweden and France.
NATO’s 2016 plan called for replacing its aging Boeing E‑3A Sentry fleet, with 14 aircraft to be replaced by 2035. The alliance is holding a leaders’ meeting in Ankara this week.