NATO modernizes surveillance aircraft fleet in face of Russian threat

"Production of six new Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft will begin in the coming years, with the first aircraft expected to be operational in 2031," AFP quoted NATO's statement.

NATO said the joint purchase by its members was one of the alliance's "largest ever capability acquisitions", but did not give a total cost. Reuters estimates it could be in the billions of euros.

An American AWACS aircraft

US AIR FORCE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The new Boeing aircraft will be operated centrally by the alliance, likely from Geilenkirchen air base in Germany, with intelligence shared among the 31 NATO members.

"Equipped with a powerful radar, the aircraft can detect enemy aircraft, missiles and ships at very long distances and can direct NATO fighters to targets," the alliance said.

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The US, UK and Turkey already operate the Wedgetail or plan to operate it. The UK government said last year it was spending £1.89 billion ($2.36 billion) on a programme to buy three Wedgetails.

NATO has stepped up surveillance operations along the alliance's eastern flank after the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted into full-scale conflict in February 2022.

Acting like a flying radar tower, AWACS (short for "Airborne Early Warning and Control System") aircraft with a special 9-meter-wide radar dome on their backs have been NATO's "eyes" in the sky since 1982, according to Reuters.

"Surveillance and control aircraft are vital to NATO's collective defense and I welcome the commitment of allies to invest in advanced capabilities," Reuters quoted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as saying on November 15.

“This investment in cutting-edge technology demonstrates the strength of transatlantic defence cooperation as we continue to adapt to a more uncertain world ,” he said.

The alliance did not specify why it chose to replace its fleet of 14 AWACS aircraft with just six Wedgetails, but it said the new aircraft would be more capable and more expensive than the older aircraft.

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