France has formally declared its intent to purchase two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft from Swedish defence manufacturer Saab, with an option for two additional units. This acquisition marks a significant leap forward in European surveillance capability, and highlights deepening Franco-Swedish defence ties in the wake of Sweden’s NATO accession.
What is GlobalEye?
The GlobalEye platform integrates long-range radar, surveillance, and command-and-control capabilities into a single aircraft system based on the Bombardier Global 6000 jet. It is designed to detect and track air, sea, and land targets simultaneously, providing multi-domain situational awareness, a capability that modern conflicts have proven critical.
The GlobalEye aircraft have already been deployed by countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Sweden, with growing interest from NATO-aligned states.
France’s purchase is not yet final, but the declaration of intent signed on 18 June 2025 is considered a formal and binding step toward acquisition, with detailed contract negotiations expected to follow later this year.
Strategic Context
This procurement comes amid a broader European effort to reinforce military readiness and interoperability. As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to drive insecurity across the continent, NATO members are increasingly investing in real-time intelligence and airborne surveillance assets.
France’s current AEW&C fleet, consisting of ageing Boeing E-3F Sentry aircraft, is nearing obsolescence. The GlobalEye deal offers not only a technological upgrade but also a strategic alignment with cutting-edge European defence manufacturing.
Official Statements
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson described the agreement as “a demonstration of mutual confidence and the strength of European innovation,” while France’s Armed Forces Ministry praised the aircraft’s “unparalleled capacity for surveillance and joint operations.”
It is understood that delivery of the first aircraft could take place as early as 2027, depending on the outcome of the final procurement phase.
European Procurement Synergy
What makes this deal particularly notable is that it reflects a new model for intra-European defence procurement: strategic, fast-tracked, and focused on shared security outcomes. It is also an example of how procurement is increasingly tied to industrial policy, with nations seeking not just to acquire capability, but to support allied production ecosystems.
Source:
France to buy surveillance aircraft from Sweden’s Saab
