The Netherlands and several NATO-partners have completed the joint project to procure six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail to replace the ageing E-3A Sentry fleet. The withdrawal of the USA withdrew the strategic and financial basis for the program – thus overturning the previous solution of the Allied Future Surveillance and Control (iAFSC) project.
The nations united in the Support Partnership Committee have therefore formally halted the Wedgetail procurement and are now examining alternative designs and new partners. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the process for the E-3A successor is continuing and must be accelerated.
According to State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, the withdrawal of the USA from the E-7 program – officially due to rising costs and concerns about survivability – underlines the need to rely more heavily on European industry. The aim remains to have quieter and more modern air surveillance platforms available by 2035 at the latest.
Possible alternatives
Concrete candidates as an alternative to the Boeing-model, but former iAFSC applicants are again under discussion – including Saab Global Eye, Northrop Grumman E-2D and L3 Harris’ Global 6500 solution with CAEW system. Both Saab and L3 Harris immediately signaled their willingness to participate in a possible new NSPA competition.
Strategic importance
NATO currently operates 14 E-3As, which have been in service since the Russian attack on Ukraine have been deployed continuously on the eastern flank. Six replacement aircraft were previously considered the minimum required to maintain the capability for airborne early warning and battle management.
The setback for the Wedgetail also exacerbates the challenges for other users: the British E-7 program is also struggling with delays and cost increases.
Here for more news about the Dutch armed forces, here to our NATO coverage and here to further news about Boeing.
