NATO's eyes and ears! – Rutte pushes for rapid replacement of AWACS planes

NATO's eyes and ears! – Rutte pushes for rapid replacement of AWACS planes as alliance drops US-made Boeing aircraft

Equipped with advanced radars and sensors, the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) is a key part of NATO’s defence, detecting foreign aircraft early, coordinating air defences, and providing real-time data to ground troops.

In June 2025, the US withdrew from NATO’s programme to replace the ageing AWACS fleet. The alliance now plans to retire the aircraft by 2035 and is weighing European options such as Sweden’s Saab GlobalEye over Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail.