NATO's Air Surveillance Shift: New Plans in the Works

NATO's air surveillance is getting a makeover. The Netherlands and other European allies have decided not to go ahead with buying six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. This plan was meant to replace the old Boeing E-3A AWACS fleet. The U. S. pulling out of the program earlier this year made this decision inevitable. The E-3A aircraft, which have been in service since the 1980s, are getting old. They are also quite noisy. NATO needs to find a replacement before 2035. The Dutch government stressed the need for quieter aircraft and investing more in European industries. AWACS planes are crucial for NATO. They use radar and communication tools to protect airspace and manage air operations. Without them, NATO's air defense would be weaker. The U. S. decided to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program. They cited delays, rising costs, and concerns about the plane's ability to survive in tough situations. Instead, they are focusing on space-based capabilities and more E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. The E-3A is based on the Boeing 707, an old model from the 1950s. The E-7, on the other hand, is based on the newer Boeing 737. Now, NATO is looking at other options. Saab's GlobalEye is one alternative. It uses a Bombardier business jet with Saab's radar and sensors. Dassault Aviation also proposed a modified Falcon 10X, but France's choice of the GlobalEye might affect its chances.