France Commits to Saab's GlobalEye as a Key Upgrade for Air Surveillance
France has announced the procurement of two Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft to replace its aging E-3F AWACS fleet.
Key Points
- • France will acquire two Saab GlobalEye aircraft, with an option for two more.
- • The decision aligns with a strategic partnership between France and Sweden.
- • This procurement aims to enhance France's air, land, and sea situational awareness capabilities.
- • GlobalEye features advanced sensors for real-time threat detection.
On June 18, 2025, during the Paris Air Show, France officially announced its decision to procure two Saab GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, with the option to purchase two more in the future. This move is designed to replace the outdated Boeing E-3F Sentry AWACS that have been a part of France’s air surveillance since the early 1990s but face persistent maintainability issues. The signing of a letter of intent (LOI) coincided with a broader strategic partnership between France and Sweden, enhancing their cooperative defense capabilities.
The acquisition was described as unexpected since prior plans for replacing the E-3F fleet had not been disclosed. Saab's GlobalEye, based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet platform, is equipped with advanced Erieye surveillance radar, which is intended to significantly elevate France's situational awareness and threat detection across various domains including air, land, and sea.
The agreement features a roadmap for additional procurement, such as the MBDA Akeron MP anti-tank missile, further expanding the technological collaboration between the two countries. Saab’s president, Micael Johansson, underscored that this initiative will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the French Armed Forces, providing real-time information and support for command and control operations.