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
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Brazilian Air Force conducts first live fire of Meteor missile from Gripen E]()
Brazilian Air Force conducts first live fire of Meteor missile from Gripen E
The major milestone for the beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile was conducted in November and expands the capabilities of the air force’s growing Gripen E fleet.
-
![India finally powers up engine production as it prepares to talk platforms with Putin]()
India finally powers up engine production as it prepares to talk platforms with Putin
Engine technology has been thrust into the spotlight ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India this week, with the Su-57, S-400 and Kamov-226 expected to be high on the agenda.
-
![Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon]()
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
![Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision]()
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
-
![November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs]()
November Drone Digest: GA-ASI eyes Middle East for Gambit, Edge Group unveils new UAVs
In November 2025, GA-ASI unveiled a new Gambit variant, the Gambit 6, and appears to be pitching the aircraft series to various customers in the Middle East, which is a fast-emerging CCA market. The Dubai Airshow also saw the unveiling of various Emirati aircraft from Edge Group.
-
![Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill]()
Baykar’s Kizilelma drone makes progress with first air-to-air kill
This test is the latest milestone achieved by the indigenous drone, destroying a target using a beyond-visual-range missile.
