France has signed a $1.34 billion contract with Saab to acquire two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, replacing its aging E-3F Sentry fleet and modernizing its strategic surveillance capabilities. The agreement, finalized in late December 2025, includes ground support equipment, crew training, and long-term sustainment, with deliveries planned between 2029 and 2032 and options for additional aircraft. GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range AESA radar with a comprehensive multi-sensor suite mounted on the Bombardier Global 6000 platform, offering long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance across air, land, and maritime domains. The system enhances France’s ability to detect stealthy and low-flying threats, support missile defense operations, and contribute to NATO’s integrated air picture. The acquisition underscores Paris’s intent to maintain sovereign airborne early warning capabilities while aligning with allied surveillance architectures.
