Is NATO Moving Away from Boeing for Its Next AWACS?

NATO’s long-standing airborne early warning fleet, built around the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry, is approaching a critical replacement phase. After decades of service, the alliance is now exploring options for a next-generation system capable of operating in increasingly complex and contested environments.

Recent reports suggest that the Saab GlobalEye, developed by Saab in partnership with Bombardier, is gaining traction within discussions. The platform, already in service with operators such as the United Arab Emirates, combines airborne early warning with multi-domain surveillance capabilities, offering a more flexible and modern approach compared to legacy systems.

If confirmed, such a choice would mark a significant shift. NATO has traditionally relied on U.S.-built platforms for this mission, and selecting a European-led solution would signal a growing emphasis on industrial diversification and strategic autonomy within the alliance.

However, no official decision has been announced. The scale and strategic importance of the program mean that any final selection will involve extensive political, industrial, and operational considerations. Boeing is still expected to compete strongly, leveraging its long-standing role within NATO and its experience in airborne early warning systems.

For now, the reports should be seen as an indication of direction rather than a confirmed outcome. Even so, they highlight a broader trend: NATO is not only replacing an aircraft, but redefining how it conducts airborne surveillance and command in the decades ahead.

Boeing upgrades Saudi AWACS

Among the enhancements to improve radar capabilities and reduce repair time for the airborne surveillance fleet are systems that increase the original equipment’s radar sensitivity and expand the range for tracking targets," according to a Boeing news release.
The Radar System Improvement Program upgrades comprise a new radar computer, a radar control maintenance panel and electrical and mechanical software and hardware, Boeing said.
“The modernized software, multiple radar nodes and overall enhanced operation make this is [sic] the most significant upgrade to the AWACS radar since it was developed in the 1970s," said Keith Burns, Boeing's Saudi AWACS program manager.
c4isrnet

Latest AWACS deployed to combat theater

The latest E-3 Sentry version has made its first deployment to a conflict zone.
A Block 40/45 E-3G arrived in Southwest Asia on November 18, according to an Air Force announcement. The upgraded AWACS features improved communications, computer processing power, threat tracking and other enhancements to the 1970s-era systems on the aircraft.
c4isrnet

NATO withdraws first E-3A AWACS from service

NATO has withdrawn one of its Boeing E-3A (AWACS) aircraft from service, due to budget restrictions.
The alliance currently operates 17 E-3As out of Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. NATO's E-3As entered service from 1982 onwards. Originally 18 were purchased by NATO, however one was lost in a non-fatal accident in July 1996.
The alliance awarded Boeing a USD250 million contract in August 2014 to make only 13 of them Global Air Traffic Management (GATM)-compliant, in addition to an initial trials aircraft. This had raised the prospect of three of the aircraft being cut.
At present, only 14 of the 17 aircraft in the NATO AEW&C fleet are currently programmed for modernisation.
The aircraft (no.449) made its final operational flight on 13 May, and will be formally retired on 23 June when it flies to the US Air Force's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Arizona - better known as 'The Boneyard'.
janes

Boeing-upgraded French AWACS Take Flight

Initial operating capability of the modernized French AWACS fleet has been achieved with Boeing’s delivery of the second of four upgraded aircraft and completion of the operational tests and evaluations.
France has four AWACS to monitor national airspace. The aircraft are receiving modifications through a Mid-life Upgrade to increase the fleet’s surveillance, communications and battle management capabilities.
boeing

India Procures 2 A330 to serve as AEW & C AWACS

India allocated Rs. 5,113 crore for two systems based on the A-330 aircraft, which will be procured from Airbus. Eventually, six systems will be built for use by the Air Force.
India Air Force is currently operating three Israeli Phalcons based on Russian Il-76 aircraft. In addition, India is developing two smaller Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) based on the Embraer aircraft, scheduled to be delivered this year.
thehindu

First Flight of Upgraded NATO E-3 AWACS

Boeing recently completed the first flight of a NATO AWACS aircraft with modern flight deck and avionics systems that replace 1970s-era analog systems.
During the two-hour flight testers evaluated five full-color glass displays with customizable engine, navigation and radar data. The systems performed better than expected and the program will now enter an extensive flight test qualification phase. Fourteen NATO AWACS in total will receive the flight deck modernization, delivery of the first upgraded aircraft is scheduled for January 2016.
The upgrades ensure compliance with current and future air traffic control and navigation requirements. They also resolve recurring issues involving out-of-production avionics by using commercial, off-the-shelf digital avionics. The AWACS is based on the Boeing 707.
Thirteen additional NATO AWACS will receive installation of the upgrade. boeing

Karakoram Eagle Awacs Inducted in Pakistan Air Force

The Karakoram Eagle AWACS Aircraft was inducted at PAF Masroor Base.
Karakoram Eagle No 4 Squadron will enable PAF to effectively counter all threats against Pakistan’s aerial frontiers and add a new dimension to the national security.
dailytimes

Airbus Offers India A330 For AWACS project

Airbus appears to have emerged as the sole bidder for a global tender put for "AWACS India" programme. The tender for six airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system aircraft was issued in March 2014.
Airbus submitted its proposal last October.
Airbus would have to integrate the mission systems on the aircraft and gain certification that it is safe to fly with the radome.
If a contract is signed for the A330 as the platform for the Indian AWACS effort, it will be the first instance of the type being used in the AEW&C role.
Meanwhile, Airbus is waiting for a decision on India's planned contract for its A330 multirole tanker transport, having agreed to further extend the validity of its bid until 1 July.
It has been more than three years since the A330 was first chosen to meet the Indian air force's tanker requirements, with a planned acquisition of six of the type.
flightglobal

India Close to Finalise Deal for Two Phalcon AWACS

India is close to finalizing several major defence deals with Israel, including the ones for two additional Phalcon AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) and four aerostat radars.
This comes even as Israeli defence minister is all set to touch down in India on Tuesday, the first such ministerial visit after the two countries established full diplomatic ties in 1992. Israeli minister, accompanied by director-general of his ministry and CEOs of Israeli arms companies, will hold meetings with his Indian counterpart and others.
timesofindia

Finaliza el EjercicioDACT con aviones de combate del Ejercito del Aire y AWAC de la OTAN

Mañana finaliza el Ejercicio #DACT con aviones de combate @EjercitoAire y #AWAC #MACOM #MACAN @NATO pic.twitter.com/zkmDZZ6QG0

— Ejército del Aire (@EjercitoAire) febrero 11, 2015

Russia to develop new AWACS aircraft based on IL-76MD-90A plane

Beriyev Aviation on Friday will receive the first series Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A plane for making an advanced airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft on its base, the plane manufacturer.
The A-100 Premier AWACS aircraft prototype will be made on the Ilyushin aircraft basis in Taganrog (in Russia’s southern Rostov region), the company said.
The manufacturing cycle for one Il-76MD-90A plane is two years and 13 aircraft of the IL-76 family are currently at different stages of manufacture.
The advanced AWACS plane A-100 Premier designed to replace the A-50 aircraft will have an advanced active phase array capable of detecting and tracking airborne and land-based targets.
The Russian Air Force has around 20 A-50 Mainstay AWACS planes, based on the Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. The A-50 is equipped with the large Liana surveillance radar with its antenna in an over-fuselage rotodome and can control up to ten fighter aircraft for either air-to-air intercept or air-to-ground attack missions.
itar-tass

Japan to upgrade cabin and cockpit avionics for E-767 AWACS fleet

Boeing will upgrade cockpit avionics and cabin avionics on four E-767 of Japan's wide-area radar surveillance jets.
The Boeing E-767 is an AWACS aircraft that mimics the Boeing E-3 Sentry's surveillance radar and air control system, except it is installed on a Boeing 767-200 passenger jet airframe, rather than the E-3's Boeing 707 airframe.
The aircraft upgrade is to provide Japan with an upgraded AWACS command and control capability, and to enable Japan’s AWACS fleet to be more compatible with the U.S. Air Force AWACS fleet baseline and provide for greater interoperability. Japan will use this enhanced capability to provide for its self-defense.
Boeing will do the work in Kent, Wash., and should be finished by the end of February 2015.
intelligent-aerospace

Last NATO AWACS Comes Home From Afghanistan

The last NATO E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) returned to its home base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, Sept. 25. Since January 2011, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force has flown 1,240 missions totalling 12,240 flying hours from Mazar-e-Sharif, conducting air surveillance, tactical battle management functions such as support and control of aircraft involved in offensive and defensive counter air operations, close air support, battlefield air interdiction, combat search and rescue, reconnaissance, and tactical air transport.
aviationweek

US Clears Major Arms Sales to Saudi, Turkey

The US cleared two major potential sales to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, DSCA announced Tuesday.
The Saudi government has requested $2 billion in upgrades for its E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The Saudi military operates five AWACS.
The agency also cleared a possible sale to Turkey for 145 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles missiles and associated equipment.
Those missiles will be used on the Turkish Air Force’s fleet of F-16 fighters, although the DSCA notice adds that they could also be used on the country’s eventual F-35 fleet.
defensenews

NATO To Modernize AWACS Fleet

Boeing has received a contract from NATO to install digital flight decks and avionics on 13 of the alliance’s AWACS aircraft.
Under an earlier Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) contract, Boeing installed a new digital flight deck and avionics on one NATO AWACS. Flight testing begins in the fourth quarter of this year with delivery scheduled for December 2015. Boeing also will upgrade the flight deck and avionics of a U.S. AWACS aircraft beginning this November.
boeing

France receives First Upgraded AWACS

Boeing delivered the first of four upgraded French AWACS.
Delivery followed ground and flight tests at Avord Air Force Base and qualification by France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement.
Modifications to the other three French AWACS aircraft are scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2016.
Boeing, as prime contractor, provides hardware, software, engineering and quality assurance support.
boeing

NATO's tripled Baltic Air Policing Mission begins

NATO's first multi-national Baltic Air Policing Mission rotation begins on 1 May, with aircraft from Denmark, Poland, and the United Kingdom taking part.
Typically involving just four aircraft from one nation, with responsibility for conducting air policing in Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian airspace, this multi-national rotation involves 12 aircraft.
In total, four RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and four Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter aircraft are now actively deployed at Lithuania. In addition 4 Royal Danish Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft are operating out of Estonia. Before the crisis, the current rotation was planned to include just the four Polish MiG-29s, based at Siauliai. As the originally designated nation for this rotation of the Baltic Air Policing Mission, Poland will lead the mission.
The Danish, Polish, and British aircraft replace United States Air Force (USAF) Boeing F-15C Eagle, which had been operating out of Siauliai since 3 January. Originally only comprising four aircraft, the USAF deployment was bolstered in response to the Ukraine crisis in March with the addition of six more F-15Cs and a Boeing KC-135. At this time, the USAF also deployed 12 F-16 fighters to Poland and six F-16s to Romania, while NATO began surveillance flights over Romanian and Polish territory using UK, French, US, and NATO Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
In addition to the aircraft formally deployed under the aegis of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, four French Air Force Rafale fighter aircraft were deployed Poland on a dual mission: to conduct training for Polish pilots in air-policing roles and, if requested, to assist in the conducting of the Baltic Air Policing Mission.
Canada, deployed six Boeing CF-18 Hornet to Romania on 29 April in order to conduct training activities in support of immediate reassurance measures to NATO allies in the region. The Czech Republic has also offered to deploy four Saab Gripen fighter aircraft and Germany six Eurofighter Typhoons in support of the Baltic Air Policing Mission.
janes

Sweden opens airspace to NATO AWACS aircraft

Sweden is to open up its airspace to Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft operated by NATO as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine continues.
Citing the increased military activity in Sweden's immediate surroundings as a result of Russia's assault on Ukraine, the government is to allow AWACS aircraft to transit its airspace once every two days from 8 May to 31 May while routing between Norway and Poland.
The offer has been made specifically for NATO-operated AWACS aircraft, as opposed to AWACS aircraft operated by NATO member nations France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These nationally operated platforms have been patrolling the airspace bordering Ukraine since mid-March, but do not require routing via Swedish airspace.
The Swedish offer comes at a time of heightened air activity by NATO members in the face of the continuing crisis with Russia.
On 1 May the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission based in Lithuania formally transitioned from the US Air Force (USAF) and its reinforced contingent of 10 Boeing F-15C Eagle fighters to the Polish Air Force with its four MiG-29 fighters. These Polish MiGs are being supported by four UK (RAF)Typhoons, and four Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 Fighting Falcons flying out of Estonia (with two more on standby in Denmark).
Three days prior to this handover, on 28 April, four French Air Force Rafale fighters arrived in Poland , while on 29 April six Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Boeing CF-18 Hornet fighters departed for Romania, ostensibly for NATO training.
These further aircraft are in addition to the 18 USAF F-16s stationed in Poland and Romania, and the four Czech Gripens which have been offered to support countries bordering Ukraine.
janes

New Japan AWACS unit

A new E-2C early warning patrol plane unit was launched Air base in Naha, Okinawa, to bolster surveillance amid repeated intrusions by Chinese vessels into Japanese territorial waters.
Defense Minister told JASDF members at a ceremony commemorating the unit’s launch that they face “a dangerous situation” because China’s continued attempts to “change the status quo by force and threaten the rule of law could trigger emergencies.”
Chinese vessels have been shadowing or intruding into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands on a regular basis since the chain was effectively nationalized by the Japanese government in 2012.
The uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, long administered by Japan, are claimed as Diaoyu by China and Tiaoyutai by Taiwan and are believed to be near lucrative gas and mineral deposits.
The JASDF has 13 E-2C aircraft deployed at Misawa airbase in Aomori Prefecture, but four of them will be transferred to Naha to bolster the new unit.
Another new unit will be established at an JASDF base in Shizuoka.
japantimes