Nato allies ditch Boeing for new surveillance planes
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Nato's current fleet of AWACS surveillance planes – dubbed the defence alliance’s “eyes in the sky” – will reach the end of their service in 2035.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Nato allies dropped plans to buy US Boeing surveillance planes after the US withdrew from the joint procurement programme in July.
- The decision highlights the need to invest in European defence industry amid concerns over US support under a potential Trump administration.
- Nato's AWACS fleet, its "eyes in the sky," will retire in 2035, prompting a push to accelerate decisions on replacements, says Mark Rutte.
AI generated
BRUSSELS – Nato countries have ditched plans to buy US-made Boeing aircraft to replace the alliance’s ageing fleet of surveillance planes, after Washington pulled out of the programme, the Netherlands said on Nov 13.
The Western military alliance had announced in 2023 that members would acquire six Boeing Wedgetail jets in one of its “biggest-ever” joint purchases as it looked to bolster its capabilities against Russia.
But the Dutch Defence Ministry said that a consortium of six Nato countries had now decided not to go ahead with buying Boeing after the US ended its involvement in July.
The move opens the door for the purchase of European-made aircraft as Washington’s allies look to bolster their own producers amid doubts over the reliability of US support under President Donald Trump.
“The withdrawal of the US demonstrates the importance of investing as much as possible in European industry,” Dutch Deputy Defence Minister Gijs Tuinman said.
The current fleet of Nato AWACS surveillance planes – dubbed the alliance’s “eyes in the sky” – will reach the end of their service in 2035.
Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Nov 13 that he “will do everything to make sure that we speed up” the decision on their replacements.
The jets are operated centrally by the alliance out of its Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, with intelligence shared among Nato’s 32 members. AFP
