NATO announced on Wednesday its intention to replace its aging fleet of AWACS surveillance planes, which have been in service since the Cold War era of the 1980s. The alliance is set to acquire a militarized version of the Boeing 737 commercial jet in a deal estimated to be worth billions of euros. The current AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) jets, recognized by their distinctive nine-meter-wide radomes, have functioned as NATO’s airborne eyes since 1982, acting as flying radar towers.
Equipped with rotating radar, the existing modified Boeing 707 jets can detect aircraft at distances exceeding 400 kilometers (250 miles). Capable of monitoring an area roughly equivalent to the size of Poland (about 300,000 square kilometers or 115,000 square miles), these jets can also identify ground targets such as ships.
NATO’s plan involves replacing the old AWACS jets with six Boeing E-7 A Wedgetail planes. The contract is expected to be signed in 2024, with the first jet ready for operational duty by 2031. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the allies’ commitment to investing in high-end capabilities, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and control aircraft for NATO’s collective defense.
While the alliance did not specify why it opted for six Wedgetail jets to replace the 14 AWACS planes, it noted that the new aircraft would offer enhanced capabilities at a higher cost than their predecessors. The United States, Britain, and Turkey either operate or plan to operate the Wedgetail.
The AWACS fleet, based at Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, has played a crucial role in NATO surveillance missions, particularly along the alliance’s eastern flank following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. In addition to supporting missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, these aircraft have been deployed for events such as the 2006 World Cup in Germany and summit meetings. In times of conflict, AWACS planes not only provide radar support but also guide NATO combat jets to their targets. These assets, owned by NATO, are operated by multinational crews from 19 of the 31 allied nations.
