NATO plans to replace AWACS with Saab GlobalEye jets, sources say

BERLIN/PARIS — NATO is set to replace its aging fleet of U.S.-built Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft with Sweden's GlobalEye aircraft, according to four sources familiar with the matter, in a move that could draw scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged allies to purchase more American-made defense equipment.

The alliance is expected to announce the decision during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, on July 7–8. A NATO spokesperson confirmed that an announcement regarding the AWACS replacement will be made at the summit but declined to provide further details. Swedish defense company Saab also declined to comment.

Trump has repeatedly criticized European allies for relying on the United States for their security while urging them to increase defense spending and buy more U.S. military equipment. He has also threatened at times to withdraw the U.S. from NATO.

NATO's current fleet of 14 AWACS aircraft, recognizable by their large radar domes, has served as the alliance's airborne surveillance platform since 1982. Based at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany, the aircraft have played a vital role in monitoring NATO's eastern flank since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Under the proposed replacement plan, Geilenkirchen could eventually become home to the world's largest fleet of Saab GlobalEye aircraft, the sources said.

The GlobalEye system, which entered service in 2018, is designed to detect and track threats across air, land, and sea. It is built on Bombardier's Global 6500 business jet platform and competes with Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail, an airborne early warning and command-and-control aircraft based on the Boeing 737.

NATO abandoned plans in 2025 to acquire six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft after the Pentagon canceled its own planned purchase of 26 jets in favor of expanding satellite-based surveillance capabilities.

However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a congressional panel in May that the Pentagon is seeking to restore funding for the E-7 program following pressure from lawmakers.

The expected NATO announcement comes just weeks after Canada revealed plans to purchase six GlobalEye aircraft as part of its effort to reduce reliance on U.S. defense suppliers. That order is currently the largest for the aircraft, although NATO's planned acquisition is expected to exceed it.

The exact number of aircraft NATO intends to buy has not been disclosed. One source said the final order could depend on whether the alliance chooses a more advanced version capable of midair refueling.

The existing AWACS fleet can already be refueled during flight, allowing aircraft to remain on station longer during operations, including missions near Ukraine.

The AWACS aircraft are among the few military assets owned directly by NATO and are operated by crews from 21 of the alliance's 32 member states. They provide a shared radar picture for allied aircraft, ships, and command centers while directing combat aircraft during military operations.

Over the past four decades, the fleet has supported operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as security missions during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and major international summits. -Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Tim Hepher. Additional reporting by Simon Johnson. Editing by Barbara Lewis, Joe Bavier and Mark Potter/Reuters