France Signs Declaration Of Intent For GlobalEye Aerial Early Warning Aircraft Purchase
Saab announced on June 18 the signing of a declaration of intent with France’s military procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement, for the purchase of Saab’s GlobalEye aerial early warning and command aircraft.
The joint declaration of intent made during the Paris Air Show is for the purchase of two GlobalEyes, with an option for an additional two aircraft. Saab says that while the declaration does not represent an official order, a contract for the purchase is expected to be finalized in the “coming months”.
If the purchase is finalized, the GlobalEyes will replace the French Air and Space Force’s current fleet of four E-3F Sentry Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft, which have been in operational service since 1992.
Swedish defense minister Pal Jonson said after the announcement that the agreement would “benefit our countries & deepen interoperability”, adding that the French and Swedish governments had also signed a road map on further defence cooperation during the air show.
“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. Our solution will enable France to maintain full sovereign control of its airborne early warning and control capability,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
The GlobalEye is built on a Bombardier Global 6000 or 6500 business jet, with its main sensor Saab’s Erieye-Extended Range active electronically scanned radar. Other sensors include a Leonardo-made Seaspray maritime surveillance radar, an electro-optical/infra-red imaging sensor, as well as electronic intelligence sensors. Saab claims the Erieye-ER is capable of detecting targets up to 550 kilometers away from an altitude of 35,000 feet, with the GlobalEye able to remain on station for over 11 hours.
The GlobalEye is currently in service with the United Arab Emirates Air Force, with its fifth and final GlobalEye delivered in September 2024. The Swedish Air Force also currently has three GlobalEyes on order.