European firms express interest in filling NATO airborne early warning replacement needs
Saab’s GlobalEye was previously considered for NATO’s AEW&C requirement. (Photo: Saab)
The comments from both Saab and Airbus on their potential to fulfil the airborne early warning and control requirement come after NATO countries shelved plans to procure six E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.
Following on from NATO countries deciding to scrap plans to acquire six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft, other European firms have noted their confidence to potentially step in and fill the capability gap now left open.
On 13 November, the Netherlands and other NATO nations announced they were officially abandoning plans to procure the E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, with the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) citing the loss of a “strategic and financial basis” as the reason for its E-7 programme cancellation.
The announcement followed on from the US Department of Defense abandoning the country’s procurement due to cost and
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist]()
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.
