NATO expands surveillance capabilities

NATO's RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft are already patrolling in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, providing critical surveillance and reconnaissance support to alliance members. These drones are part of a growing effort to enhance situational awareness in strategic regions.

New fleet planned for Northern Europe

The creation of a similar fleet in Northern Europe would allow for similar operations under high latitudes, where weather conditions and geography present unique challenges for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. This expansion aims to ensure continuous monitoring of potential threats in the Arctic and northern Atlantic regions.

Atlantic alliance summit concludes

The Atlantic alliance summit, which ended on July 8, 2026, in Ankara (Turkey), resulted in the announcement of several major acquisitions. The summit took place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, including concerns over the potential withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Europe.

Major acquisition of radar aircraft

The most important announcement concerns the acquisition of Saab GlobalEye radar aircraft, which are based on a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet. These aircraft will replace the fourteen E-3 Sentry aircraft from Boeing, which have been in service for more than forty years and have played a key role in NATO's airborne early warning and control missions.

Consensus among alliance countries

Up to ten Saab GlobalEye aircraft could be purchased by a consortium comprising eleven alliance countries, including ten European countries. France has opted out of the program, choosing to maintain its own national fleet for nuclear deterrence purposes, reflecting differing strategic priorities within the alliance.