NATO has chosen Saab’s GlobalEye as its next-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, opening the way for the potential procurement of up to 10 platforms.
Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the decision during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, confirming that the alliance will begin formal negotiations with Saab and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to finalize the acquisition.
The selection supports NATO’s plan to replace its aging airborne warning and control fleet while strengthening the alliance’s surveillance, intelligence, and situational awareness capabilities. Based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet, the GlobalEye integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with advanced sensors and a command-and-control system capable of monitoring air, land, and maritime environments.
The aircraft is designed to detect drones, stealth aircraft, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic threats while maintaining operational effectiveness in electronically contested environments.
According to the Swedish government, the planned acquisition is expected to create employment opportunities across Sweden in research and development, manufacturing, systems integration, maintenance, and high-technology supply chains throughout the program’s lifecycle.
The selection further strengthens Saab’s role within NATO programs. In September 2025, the company was chosen to lead the Mangrove consortium under the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network initiative, which aims to establish a unified architecture connecting manned and unmanned naval systems. Earlier, in February 2024, NATO awarded Saab a 63-million-euro ($67.6 million) contract under the Ammunition Support Partnership to supply AT4 man-portable anti-armor weapons to allied nations.
