Among potential customers of Swedish Saab GlobalEye AWACS aircraft, new addition appeared. Netherlands formed intent to purchase these aircraft.
Country's defense ministry sent letter of intent, after which firm contract conclusion is expected. This is first time Netherlands orders AWACS aircraft. Until now their air forces relied on NATO's overall capabilities and joint E-3 Sentry aircraft fleet.
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At same time, Netherlands already agreed on E-3 Sentry replacement and became one of 11 European Alliance segment countries collectively ordering 10 GlobalEye aircraft, abandoning Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. Desire to obtain own aircraft is explained quite simply: need to independently determine where and when aircraft will be deployed.
Netherlands Defense Ministry also announced they will receive their GlobalEye in 2031. But to accelerate training, Dutch military will receive access to Swedish Air Force aircraft in 2028, enabling gaining operation and maintenance experience.
Also this future procurement is notable in that Netherlands defense department, at minimum publicly, did not raise topic of purchasing own AWACS aircraft earlier. Also no open proposal gatherings, tenders or competitions were conducted, effectively automatically excluding American proposals.
At same time discussion involves not only objectively problematic Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, whose project ultimately received U.S. financing after pause, while British order nevertheless moves, though with 7-year delay. But also Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, actively promoted in Poland.
However GlobalEye from Saab choice is entirely logical from perspective of current U.S. foreign policy, Swedish development technical capabilities and fact that specifically GlobalEye effectively becomes pan-European solution. Specifically, besides NATO and Sweden, France already purchased it, among potential customers are Germany, Denmark and Finland. Additionally, among NATO countries Canada also wants to purchase it.
Also this aircraft is purchased by Middle East countries. It is already operated by United Arab Emirates, while in July unnamed country from this region ordered two GlobalEye for $1.04 billion, meaning approximately $500 million per one Swedish AWACS aircraft.
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