Saab has presented the first GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft ordered by Sweden, as the country moves to strengthen its military surveillance capabilities across air, land and maritime domains.
The aircraft, ordered by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the Swedish Air Force, will now enter a testing and verification phase ahead of its maiden flight and eventual delivery.
GlobalEye combines long-range surveillance with airborne early warning and control capabilities to provide military commanders with a comprehensive operational picture across multiple domains. The system is designed to detect and track activity over extensive areas, giving armed forces the information needed to support timely decision-making and coordinate operations.
For Sweden, the capability is intended to strengthen national defence and improve situational awareness across its surrounding airspace and maritime approaches. Its ability to monitor activity across air, land and sea also supports a broader operational picture for military planning and response.
The unveiling marks a step towards introducing the system into Swedish service, although the aircraft must complete testing and verification before it can proceed to its first flight and subsequent handover to the customer.
Sweden has ordered three GlobalEye aircraft from Saab. The FMV signed the initial contract for two aircraft in 2022, which included an option for additional units. A third aircraft was ordered in 2024, bringing the total number of aircraft on order to three.
The programme forms part of Sweden’s investment in advanced surveillance and command capabilities, with GlobalEye intended to provide a unified view of activity across multiple operational environments. Once delivered, the aircraft will give the Swedish Air Force an airborne platform for gathering and sharing information to support military operations and national security.
