NATO selects Saab GlobalEye Airborne Warning and Control System

“Today is a great day for Sweden’s defence industry and the result of many years’ cooperation between Swedish government agencies and Saab. We are delighted to announce that NATO plans to replace its fleet of AWACS aircraft with GlobalEye. This shows that Sweden is taking defence and security with the utmost seriousness and has a unique defence industry,” says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. 

“NATO selecting GlobalEye is clear evidence of the strength of Swedish industry and international cooperation. GlobalEye is the result of collaboration between industries in a number of countries that together created this unique product. The deal demonstrates that the Swedish defence industry is strongly competitive internationally and can pave the way for more Swedish export successes,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.

“In a serious security situation, the ability to detect threats early and control operations in the air, at sea and on the ground is becoming increasingly important. GlobalEye provides precisely the kind of advanced situational awareness that modern defences need to combat everything from drones, missiles and other types of threats. It is gratifying that more and more people are seeing the value of this state-of-the-art platform,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson.

The defence industry is necessary to maintain credible deterrence and defence, and this in turn requires production capacity and a strong defence industrial base. Sweden is contributing through its well-established defence industry base that includes world-leading companies such as Saab, BAE Systems Hägglunds and Bofors. Sweden also provides technological innovation in industry and through participation in defence industry cooperation for joint procurement, production capacity and increased interoperability within both NATO and the EU.

NATO has now chosen to negotiate an agreement on Saab’s GlobalEye AWACS. The Alliance is planning to purchase up to 10 GlobalEye aircraft. The aircraft platform is manufactured by Canadian company Bombardier. It can remain airborne for more than 11 hours and combines excellent flight performance with low maintenance costs. 

GlobalEye purchase positive for Swedish industry and growth   

NATO’s purchase of GlobalEye will have positive effects in terms of jobs and growth in Sweden. Jobs will be created by Saab in development, integration, production and support. The deal will also create jobs at Swedish subcontractors in high-tech industry, manufacturing, IT and consultancy services. The purchase will strengthen Swedish high-tech industry and exports throughout its life cycle.