France is moving to replace its aging airborne early warning fleet with plans to acquire advanced surveillance aircraft from Sweden’s Saab. The country announced its intention to acquire GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft to replace its E-3 AWACS platforms, with a joint declaration of intent signed at the Paris Air Show on June 18, 2025.
Photo: Saab
The agreement between Saab and France’s defense procurement agency, Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), covers an initial procurement of two GlobalEye aircraft with an option for two additional units. The package includes the aircraft along with ground equipment, training and support services.
The parties have not yet entered into a formal contract, and Saab has not received an order from France. A final notification process will now follow, with the DGA stating that a contract is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
The GlobalEye acquisition represents a modernization of France’s airborne surveillance capabilities, replacing the country’s aging E-3 AWACS fleet that has been in service for over three decades. France originally acquired four E-3F aircraft in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of a joint procurement with the United Kingdom. The French government announced its order for a minimum of three E-3s in February 1987, with the first aircraft delivered in May 1991 and final deliveries completed in February 1992.
“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,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “Our solution will enable France to maintain full sovereign control of its airborne early warning and control capability.”
In a concurrent development announced the same day, Saab signed a framework agreement with French aircraft maintenance and modification provider Sabena technics. The long-term agreement covers complex aircraft modification work and associated services for the GlobalEye program. While the timing suggests possible coordination with the French procurement announcement, neither company explicitly linked the two agreements.
The Sabena technics partnership is intended to support the expansion of Saab’s modification capacity to meet increasing demand for GlobalEye. Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s business area Aeronautics, said the agreement reinforces Saab’s commitment to collaborate with French industry.
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