In a strategic move to enhance its military surveillance, France’s defense procurement agency has signed a memorandum of intent with Saab for the potential acquisition of the advanced GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The deal, expected to be finalized within months, will encompass aircraft delivery, ground support infrastructure, comprehensive training, and long-term maintenance services.
Saab’s GlobalEye is a cutting-edge multi-domain surveillance platform, integrating sophisticated active and passive sensors to monitor air, sea, and land environments. Engineered for real-time situational awareness, it delivers unparalleled early threat detection, making it a critical asset for modern defense operations.
“This acquisition will significantly elevate the French Armed Forces’ ability to maintain superior situational awareness and detect threats across multiple domains,” said Micael Johansson, Saab’s President and CEO.
GlobalEye AEW&C: A Game-Changer in Airborne Surveillance
The GlobalEye AEW&C platform is equipped with the Erieye Extended Range radar, housed in a 33-foot (10-meter) dorsal structure. Leveraging Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, this radar excels at detecting and tracking targets at extended ranges, even in challenging environments with electronic interference, clutter, or jamming.
Operating at an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters), GlobalEye can detect low-flying targets as close as 200 feet (61 meters) above the ground. Its maritime surveillance capabilities extend to the radar horizon, tracking small vessels like jet skis with precision. On land, the system employs Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) to monitor moving vehicles effectively.
The platform integrates advanced systems such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), Electro-Optical System (EOS), and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) for precise target identification and classification. Additionally, its dedicated radar imaging system generates high-resolution imagery in all weather conditions, ensuring operational reliability.
With an endurance exceeding 11 hours without refueling, GlobalEye supports prolonged missions across vast operational theaters, making it an indispensable tool for persistent surveillance and strategic decision-making.
By adopting the GlobalEye, France is poised to strengthen its defense posture, ensuring robust multi-domain awareness in an increasingly complex global security landscape.
