NATO Plans $4.5 Billion Purchase of Swedish Reconnaissance Planes to Replace AWACS

NATO intends to invest around $4.5 billion to purchase 10 Swedish electronic reconnaissance aircraft, which will serve as replacements for the alliance's existing American AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) fleet. The plan was revealed as NATO leaders convened for a summit in Ankara. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that this acquisition will enable smaller aircraft to track large numbers of drone attacks. "This will ensure that NATO maintains significant early warning capabilities in the coming decades," Stoltenberg stated. The new system, dubbed GlobalEye, will be based on Bombardier Global 6500 business jets. Stoltenberg highlighted the collaborative nature of the program, noting that "like its predecessor, GlobalEye is a transatlantic program of European and Canadian industry, with significant U.S. participation. It is a true success story, made in NATO."

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This will ensure that NATO maintains significant early warning capabilities in the coming decades.