France to Procure 2 Saab GlobalEye AWACS Aircraft

The French defence procurement agency, Direction générale de l' tification process. The agreement also includes an option for France to acquire two additional GlobalEye aircraft.

GlobalEye is built on Bombardier’s Global 6000/6500 jet platform and features a combination of active and passive sensors for long-range detection of threats across multiple domains. The aircraft provides real-time data to support operations by air forces, armies, and navies.

Saab has also signed a framework agreement with French aircraft maintenance and modification firm Sabena technics to support aircraft modification work for the GlobalEye fleet. This long-term partnership aims to strengthen Saab’s industrial cooperation with French companies.

The Saab GlobalEye is a multi-domain airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system that combines advanced radar, sensors, and a powerful command and control suite to detect and track airborne, ground, and maritime targets. Based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jet, it offers long range, high endurance, and operational flexibility.

The system features Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar, capable of operating in air-to-air, air-to-ground, and maritime modes with Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI). Additional sensors include the Leonardo Seaspray 7500E maritime radar and FLIR Systems Star Safire 380 HD electro-optical turret.

GlobalEye’s integrated command and control system enables real-time data sharing across multiple domains. It offers over 11 hours of flight endurance and a radar range exceeding 650 km, with the ability to detect low-level threats at more than 458 km from an altitude of 35,000 feet. It can operate from 6,500-foot runways and land on strips as short as 2,300 feet.