NATO has selected Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft as the alliance’s next-generation surveillance platform, replacing its aging fleet with a more capable multi-domain intelligence solution. Based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet, GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with advanced electronic sensors, mission systems, and integrated command-and-control capabilities capable of monitoring air, maritime, and land environments simultaneously. The aircraft provides long-range detection of conventional aircraft, stealth platforms, ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and unmanned systems while maintaining effectiveness in electronically contested environments. The planned acquisition supports NATO’s broader effort to modernize its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities while improving alliance-wide situational awareness and operational coordination. Beyond military benefits, the program will generate high-value employment opportunities across Sweden’s aerospace sector, supporting research, manufacturing, system integration, logistics, and long-term sustainment throughout the aircraft’s operational life.
