France to replace its E-3 Sentry with the Saab GlobalEye
Saab and DGA signed a statement of intent to acquire up to four GlobalEye aircraft.
France’s Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) has announced its intention to acquire Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system, as part of the replacement of the French Air and Space Force’s aging Boeing E-3F Sentry fleet. The decision, formalized through a joint declaration of intent signed at the Paris Air Show, marks a key step toward adopting a European solution to preserve France’s strategic air surveillance capabilities.
According to Saab’s official release, the DGA plans to procure two GlobalEye aircraft initially, with an option for two additional units. While a final contract has yet to be signed, both parties expect to finalize the acquisition process in the coming months. The deal would also include ground equipment, training, and support services.
"We welcome today’s announcement by France about the intention to procure GlobalEye, which will enhance the French Armed Forces’ situational awareness and threat detection across the air, land and sea domains. Our solution will enable France to maintain full sovereign control of its airborne early warning and control capability,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
GlobalEye is a next-generation, multi-domain AEW&C platform developed from the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet. It integrates a combination of active and passive sensors, including the Erieye ER radar, capable of long-range detection and tracking of airborne, maritime, and ground-based threats. Its modular design and strategic range enable extended missions, delivering real-time information to air, naval, and land forces.
As part of the effort to strengthen industrial cooperation and integrate local capabilities, Saab also signed a framework agreement with French company Sabena technics, a specialist in aircraft maintenance and modification. The agreement covers complex conversion work to adapt the GlobalEye platform, including structural modifications and advanced technical support, positioning Sabena as a key partner for supporting the future French fleet.
With this decision, France moves forward in replacing its E-3F Sentry aircraft, in service since the 1990s, with a more modern and efficient solution that will ensure the continuity of its strategic surveillance operations for decades to come. The choice of GlobalEye reflects a clear preference for European-developed capabilities and underlines France’s intent to preserve operational autonomy in critical areas such as airspace control and network-centric warfare.
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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