A group of eight NATO allies has ended plans to acquire six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, Breaking Defense reported Thursday. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence revealed the decision, citing the loss of “strategic and financial foundation” for the multinational program.
Why Was the Wedgetail Plan Dropped?
The Netherlands MOD said the countries, including the United States, are now examining other options to replace the alliance’s E-3A Sentry fleet. The decision follows the U.S. Air Force’s withdrawal from the Wedgetail effort in 2024 over cost and survivability concerns.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the shift, telling reporters at the alliance’s Airborne Warning & Control System base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, that the process to identify an E-3A successor is “ongoing” and must move faster.
What Comes Next?
While allies are evaluating new candidates for the future airborne early warning and control fleet, no aircraft were publicly identified. Previous industry offerings in the initial Allied Future Surveillance and Control effort included Saab’s GlobalEye, Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and L3Harris’ proposed system based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet equipped with a conformal airborne early warning mission system.
The Netherlands said the goal remains to field a quieter, next-generation aircraft to succeed NATO’s E-3As by 2035.
What Are Industry Responses?
L3Harris and Saab both said they are prepared to take part in any competition led by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency should the alliance solicit alternatives. Northrop Grumman declined to comment.
NATO operates 14 E-3A aircraft, which continue to provide surveillance along the alliance’s eastern flank.