France to Acquire Saab GlobalEye Surveillance Aircraft
The French Ministry of Armed Forces is nearing the acquisition of a GlobalEye surveillance aircraft from Saab, set to replace the aging E-3F Sentry AWACS fleet.
The French Ministry of Armed Forces is reportedly on the verge of finalizing the acquisition of a GlobalEye surveillance aircraft from Swedish manufacturer Saab.
The GlobalEye, built on the Bombardier Global Express 6000 business jet, is equipped with the Erieye radar. This advanced radar system can detect and track targets over a range of more than 550 kilometers, supporting early warning and control operations across air, sea, and land.
The new acquisition will replace the aging E-3F Sentry AWACS aircraft, in service since 1991 at Avord Air Base 702. The E-3F Sentry, vital for various military operations, has a detection range of 400 kilometers and can stay airborne for up to 12 hours.
While NATO chose the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail over the GlobalEye for its next-generation command and control aircraft, France’s decision underscores the capabilities and strategic importance of Saab’s advanced surveillance technology.
The French Ministry of Armed Forces is reportedly on the verge of finalizing the acquisition of a GlobalEye surveillance aircraft from Swedish manufacturer Saab. This move comes as France aims to bolster its airborne early warning and control capabilities with state-of-the-art technology.