NATO AWACS plane – Boeing E-3 Sentry, Photo: A Periam Photography / Alamy / Profimedia
NATO has decided to give up the US manufacturer Boeing to replace its fleet of AWACS aircraft, after the withdrawal of the American part of the program, the Dutch Ministry of Defense informed on Thursday, according to AFP.
“The Netherlands, in concert with several partner countries, have given up the purchase of six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft,” which were to replace the Boeing E-3A aircraft used by NATO as AWACS aerial reconnaissance aircraft, the Dutch ministry said in a statement.
These aircraft will wait for the end of their life in 2035.
“The planes need to be replaced, that's clear. This process is therefore ongoing and I will do everything to ensure that we speed up this process,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday from the Geilenkirchen air base in Germany, where the AWACS planes are stationed.
Dutch Secretary of State for Defense Gijs Tuinman did not specify which other manufacturer could replace Boeing, but stressed “the importance of investing in European industry,” according to the same statement.
In November 2023, NATO announced its intention to replace its AWACS fleet with six Boeing E-7A aircraft, but ultimately backed off following the withdrawal of the US part of this replacement program, announced in July this year.
