Sweden’s Saab has unveiled the first GlobalEye based on the Bombardier Global 6000, set for delivery to the Swedish air force next year. Designated the S106 in national use, the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft is on an accelerated path to Swedish service.
On October 15, Saab rolled out the first of three aircraft ordered by Swedish defense procurement agency FMV from its headquarters and airframe conversion site in Linköping. Testing, verification, and a flight-test campaign are set to follow. The air force confirmed to AIN that it expects the first flight later this year.
FMV described the occasion as “an important milestone in the introduction of a new airborne reconnaissance and command capability that will strengthen Sweden’s contribution to NATO’s common defense.” Sweden is set to become the first NATO member to operate the type. Although the aircraft will initially operate with an interim mission system fit, it will later be upgraded to full specification.
Accelerated Entry Into Service
Sweden became GlobalEye’s second customer in June 2022, after the launch operator, the UAE, when FMV signed an initial contract for two. FMV finalized an order for a third example in June 2024. The first two are set for delivery in 2027, with the third aircraft to be delivered between 2024 and 2029, replacing the air force’s aging Saab 340 regional turboprop-based ASC 890 AEW&Cs.
However, in May 2024, Sweden announced it was donating its ASC 890s to Ukraine. At the time, the government acknowledged that while this gift provided a “completely new capability” for Ukraine, “the donation will entail a temporary decrease of Sweden’s defense capability.” It therefore pledged this gap would “be addressed by procuring additional S106 GlobalEye aircraft and advancing previous orders.” In September, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the donated AEW&Cs have been operational in theater since at least March 2026.
Other NATO member customers for GlobalEye include France, which signed a contract for two in 2025 with options for a further two, and the Netherlands, which announced last month that it intends to add its single unit to a “joint pool” with Sweden’s three. Canada and NATO have also announced their intentions to acquire six and 10 aircraft, respectively.
Speaking at the rollout, Swedish air force chief Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman stated that “the fact that more allies are showing interest in GlobalEye is very positive. It is not just about more aircraft, but about the opportunity to jointly develop a stronger and more coherent operational capability.” The air force also received its new Global 6000 state aircraft this year, which FMV says will provide commonality in areas such as training, technical maintenance, and spare-parts provision.
More In Aircraft
