Saudi AWACS Phase 2 upgrade enlists Boeing
USAF E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft pictured at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: USAF/Tech Sgt Michael Charles)
The Royal Saudi Air Force is modernising its fleet of E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft to keep them in service until 2040.
Boeing is to work on Phase 2 of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) modernisation programme, under a $397.92 million FMS contract from the USAF.
The DoD announced on 17 December that the contract provides for production, training and installation and checkout, in order to keep the RSAF E-3 Sentry fleet interoperable with the USAF and ‘functionally viable through its expected end of life in 2040’.
Work will be performed in Oklahoma City and in Saudi Arabia at Al Kharj, for completion by 21 February 2026.
The RSAF AWACS fleet comprises five E-3 Sentry aircraft, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
-
![US Navy moves EA-18G Growler Block II electronic-attack upgrade into full-rate production]()
US Navy moves EA-18G Growler Block II electronic-attack upgrade into full-rate production
A US$184.25 million contract for Next Generation Electronic Attack Units advances the Growler’s modernisation as the US Navy confronts ageing systems, parts shortages and obsolescence.
-
![Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?]()
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
-
![USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC]()
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.
