France has finalized a landmark $1.34 billion defense procurement deal with Saab for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, reinforcing its long-term strategy to upgrade airborne early warning assets and maintain technological parity within NATO. The acquisition replaces France’s Boeing E-3F Sentry platforms and reflects growing emphasis on networked, multi-domain surveillance amid rising security challenges across Europe and beyond.
The contract, signed by the Direction Générale de l’Armement on December 30, 2025, is valued at SEK 12.3 billion and includes training, mission support systems, and multi-year sustainment. Saab confirmed that aircraft deliveries will take place between 2029 and 2032, while an option clause allows France to procure two additional GlobalEye platforms if operational requirements expand in the coming decade.
GlobalEye combines the Erieye Extended Range AESA radar with advanced sensor fusion capabilities, delivering long-range detection across air, sea, and land domains. The fixed dorsal radar installation enables faster scan rates and uninterrupted coverage across most of the battlespace, enhancing detection of stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and other advanced threats. Its open-architecture design also allows for future upgrades aligned with evolving NATO operational standards.
Operating from the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 airframe, the GlobalEye offers high endurance, a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, and reduced radar signature compared to legacy early warning aircraft. These performance characteristics provide France with persistent wide-area surveillance, improved missile warning capability, and enhanced interoperability with allied forces, positioning GlobalEye as a cornerstone of Europe’s next-generation airborne command and control framework.
