NATO picks Swedish Saab early-warning planes over US rival

NATO has chosen Saab’s GlobalEye surveillance aircraft for a roughly $4.5 billion program to replace ageing AWACS planes, with plans to buy up to 10 aircraft and potentially start deliveries in 2030. The decision favors Saab over Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail and represents a significant win for the Swedish defense group, likely boosting future revenue visibility and strengthening its position in NATO-linked procurement. The deal still requires formal negotiations, final pricing, and agreement on the exact aircraft count and capabilities. The announcement may be viewed positively for Saab as it validates the GlobalEye platform and could support defense-sector sentiment, while Boeing loses a high-profile opportunity in the surveillance aircraft market.