NATO to Reevaluate E-7A Wedgetail Acquisition Plan Following U.S. Withdrawal From Program

NATO plans to reconsider its decision regarding the purchase of Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) after the United States announced its withdrawal from the program.

According to Opex360, NATO had intended to acquire 14 E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to replace the aging fleet of E-3 Sentry, which has been in service for over 40 years.

The purchase and operation of the new AEW&C aircraft were to be funded through the joint efforts of eight NATO countries, including the United States, which was the leading party and planned to acquire 26 such aircraft for its Air Force.

However, in June 2025, the Pentagon canceled the E-7A acquisition program for the U.S. Air Force, citing the high cost, which had increased from $588 million to $724 million per aircraft, and doubts about their survivability in modern combat environments.

Instead, the U.S. plans to use E-2D Hawkeye aircraft and space-based surveillance systems, including the Golden Dome project.

In the event of the U.S. final withdrawal from the program, an alternative being considered is the Swedish Saab GlobalEye AWA&C aircraft, which has already been ordered by Sweden and France, with Denmark also considering it as a potential replacement.

Analysts note that the U.S. decision could lead to a mixed fleet of AEW&C aircraft within NATO, complicating standardization and interoperability among the forces.

For example, the United Kingdom has already ordered three E-7A aircraft, Turkey has four E-7T aircraft, and Sweden is transitioning to the GlobalEye, which is actively being offered for export as an alternative to American aircraft.

Currently, there is ongoing debate in the U.S. Congress regarding the potential revival of the E-7A program, as some lawmakers believe that its cancellation could weaken the readiness of the U.S. Air Force by the end of the 2020s.

Militarnyi previously reported that Saab and France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) signed a letter of intent to purchase GlobalEye’s early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

According to Saab’s press release, the agreement includes the planned purchase of two aircraft, with an option for two more. It also covers a complete support package, including ground equipment, crew training, and technical assistance.