France Finalizes $1.3B USD Contract for 2 Saab GlobalEye Radar Planes

December 30, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1767124930902-1660

Saab Secures Major Export Deal with France Amid NATO Ties

France has finalized a $1.3 billion USD contract with Saab to purchase two GlobalEye radar planes. The deal marks the second export customer for the aircraft, following the UAE’s fleet of five. According to Breaking Defense, France plans to replace its current Airborne Early Warning and Control fleet of five Boeing E-3F Sentry aircraft, which are set to retire in the 2030s. Saab CEO Micael Johansson praised the partnership, citing robust collaboration between the two parties.

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Key Takeaways

France finalized a deal to buy two Saab GlobalEye radar surveillance planes.
The contract is worth about $1.3 billion USD.
The first plane will be delivered in 2029, and the second by 2032.

Saab France

Strategic Implications

This deal may indicate France’s preference for Saab’s GlobalEye over other options, such as Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail. The selection could also suggest a shift towards more agile and cost-effective solutions for airborne early warning and control capabilities.