The Hague, Netherlands: The Netherlands has signed a Letter of Intent with Sweden to acquire one Saab GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, marking the country’s move to establish its own airborne warning and control capability. The announcement was made on September 10, 2026, with the Dutch aircraft expected to be delivered in 2031. The agreement is not yet a final procurement contract, and Saab said it has not received an order from the Netherlands.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence said the GlobalEye will give the Netherlands an independent capability to monitor activity at long range and at high altitude across the air, maritime and land domains. The aircraft is equipped with advanced radar systems, sensors and communications equipment that can monitor large areas simultaneously, detect difficult-to-observe threats such as drones and cruise missiles, and identify radar installations. It can also collect intelligence, process information immediately and distribute it to aircraft, ships and ground units to help build a current operational picture. The aircraft can additionally function as a flying command centre, according to the ministry.
The acquisition addresses a capability gap in the Dutch military. The Netherlands does not currently operate its own aircraft capable of performing these warning and control missions and has relied, among other assets, on NATO’s ageing E-3 AWACS fleet. The country is already one of 11 NATO allies investing in the replacement of that NATO fleet with GlobalEye aircraft. The separate Dutch acquisition would give the Netherlands greater control over where and when its own aircraft is deployed while also supporting military operations and international exercises.
Under the planned cooperation with Sweden, the Dutch GlobalEye will be placed in a joint pool with three Swedish GlobalEye aircraft. This arrangement will give Dutch and Swedish crews access to the available aircraft and allow the two countries to cooperate closely in operating the capability. The Netherlands will gain access to the Swedish aircraft from 2028, three years before delivery of its own aircraft, allowing Dutch crews to gain experience with the platform and its operating procedures earlier. The aircraft could also be deployed by the Netherlands during this period.
Sweden’s Defence Ministry said the two countries intend to cooperate over the long term on airborne warning and control capabilities through GlobalEye, including the operation and future development of the system. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson signed the Letter of Intent with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius. Jonson said: “The GlobalEye system provides precisely the kind of advanced situational awareness that modern defence forces need to combat everything from drones to missiles and other types of threats. It is gratifying that the Netherlands recognises the value of this state-of-the-art platform. Through this agreement, we are deepening defence cooperation between our countries and can together take greater responsibility for Europe’s collective defence.”
The Swedish government said the Netherlands and Sweden, together with NATO, will contribute to a broader warning and control capability for Europe and other parts of the Alliance. It said the two countries’ capabilities in warning and command across land, sea and air would allow them to take greater responsibility for NATO’s collective defence. The joint arrangement is also intended to make better use of the aircraft by allowing the capability to be employed where and when it is required.
Saab described GlobalEye as a multi-domain AEW&C system using a combination of active and passive sensors to detect and identify objects at long range in the air, at sea and over land. The system provides real-time information to air forces, armies and navies, supporting situational awareness and the early detection of threats.
Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson said: “We welcome today’s announcement by the Netherlands of its intention to procure GlobalEye. The system will provide enhanced situational awareness and early warning capabilities across multiple domains, while also strengthening NATO’s ability to operate in an increasingly complex security environment. GlobalEye will enable the Netherlands to detect threats earlier, respond faster, and strengthen both national and collective defence. We stand ready to support this capability with Swedish innovation and expertise.”
The Dutch government said the Netherlands and Sweden will also work together on the further development of the GlobalEye system. It said the cooperation strengthens bilateral ties between the two NATO allies and wider European defence cooperation, while increasing their shared responsibility for the collective security of Europe.
The Dutch acquisition is separate from the Netherlands’ participation in the NATO programme to replace the Alliance’s E-3A AWACS fleet with GlobalEye. The new national aircraft is intended to provide the Netherlands with a sovereign capability while benefiting from close cooperation with Sweden and the wider NATO warning and control structure.
