France Orders Saab GlobalEye Aircraft in €1.1 Billion Airborne Surveillance Deal

Saab aircraft

Image: Saab

France has ordered two GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft from Saab, marking a major expansion of its air surveillance capabilities.

Saab confirmed the contract, stating it had signed an agreement with France’s defence procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’Armement (DGA), according to a company statement.

The deal, valued at approximately €1.1 billion, covers two GlobalEye aircraft, associated ground systems, training, and long-term support. Saab plans deliveries between 2029 and 2032.

The contract also includes an option for France to purchase two additional aircraft, potentially doubling the fleet.

Strengthening European Air Surveillance

The acquisition supports France’s efforts to modernise its airborne command and control capabilities amid growing security demands across Europe. France will join Sweden as a GlobalEye operator, enhancing interoperability between European air forces.

Saab President and Chief Executive Micael Johansson said the order reflected a strong defence partnership between Sweden and France. He added that the selection demonstrated France’s focus on operational sovereignty and regional security, according to Saab.

Multi-Domain Early Warning Capability

GlobalEye combines a long-range active electronically scanned array radar with passive sensors to detect and track threats across air, maritime, and land domains. The system provides real-time situational awareness to air forces, armies, and navies.

Built on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet platform, GlobalEye offers extended endurance and high-altitude performance. These characteristics allow wide-area surveillance and early threat detection over large geographic regions.

Strategic and Industrial Significance

For Saab, the French order represents one of its largest GlobalEye contracts to date and reinforces the system’s position in the European defence market. The programme aligns with broader European efforts to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in an increasingly contested security environment.

France already operates other airborne command and control platforms, but GlobalEye adds a modern, multi-domain solution designed for high-intensity operations.

Source: Saab Press Release

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