THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Sweden to acquire one Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, giving the country its own national airborne surveillance capability.
The LOI was signed by Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson. Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration will support the Netherlands in the planned acquisition from Saab.
Separate from NATO GlobalEye Programme
The planned Dutch aircraft is separate from the NATO procurement of up to 10 GlobalEye aircraft, which is intended to replace the alliance’s ageing Boeing E-3 AWACS fleet. The Netherlands is already participating in that joint programme with other NATO allies.
The Netherlands currently has no national aircraft for long-range surveillance and command missions and partly relies on NATO’s AWACS fleet based at Geilenkirchen, Germany.
The new national aircraft would allow the Netherlands to independently decide where and when the system is deployed, including for national military operations and international exercises.
Dutch Aircraft to Join Swedish Fleet
The Dutch GlobalEye is planned for delivery in 2031. The Netherlands will pool its aircraft with three GlobalEye aircraft ordered by Sweden, allowing Dutch and Swedish crews to access the combined fleet of four aircraft.
Dutch crews are expected to begin training on Swedish GlobalEye aircraft from 2028. The two countries will also cooperate on the future development of the system.
GlobalEye Surveillance Capability
GlobalEye is a multi-domain AEW&C system based on a Bombardier Global business-jet airframe. It carries Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar, along with other active and passive sensors and communications equipment.
The aircraft can monitor activity across the air, maritime and land domains at long range. It is designed to detect and track difficult-to-spot targets, including drones and cruise missiles.
The system can also collect intelligence and operate as an airborne command centre, processing information in real time and sharing it with aircraft, ships and ground forces.
No Final Contract Yet
Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson welcomed the Netherlands’ intention to procure GlobalEye, saying the system would strengthen situational awareness, early warning and national and collective defence.
However, the LOI is not yet a binding purchase contract. Saab confirmed that it has not received a formal financial order from the Netherlands. No contract value or final configuration has been released.
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said the agreement strengthens defence cooperation between Sweden and the Netherlands and allows both countries to take greater responsibility for European collective defence.
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