Ankara: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Tuesday hailed NATO's decision to select the Saab GlobalEye as the alliance's next airborne early warning and control (AWACS) system. The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Defense Minister Pal Jonson and Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson on the sidelines of the 36th NATO Leaders' Summit.

According to Anadolu Agency, NATO has initiated plans to begin negotiations with the Swedish defense company Saab for the potential acquisition of up to 10 aircraft. Kristersson emphasized that Sweden's accession to NATO has introduced the country's advanced defense technology and industrial expertise into the alliance, highlighting that hundreds of Swedish defense companies will contribute significantly to NATO's capabilities.

Kristersson also noted that Sweden's expanding defense exports, which include combat vehicles, submarines, and fighter aircraft, have been instrumental in creating thousands of skilled jobs. Defense Minister Pal Jonson echoed these sentiments, stating that the decision will enhance Sweden's contribution to NATO's deterrence and defense efforts while bolstering the transatlantic defense industrial base.

Jonson further explained that the GlobalEye system is tailored to address evolving security challenges by providing sophisticated airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities. Saab CEO Micael Johansson described the decision as a pivotal milestone for both Saab and Sweden. He noted that the aircraft is equipped to simultaneously monitor air, land, and maritime domains using advanced active and passive sensors.

Johansson added that the platform can detect and track threats such as drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles in real time, utilizing artificial intelligence to rapidly process information. He confirmed that Saab is prepared to proceed with the next phase of negotiations with NATO, asserting that the aircraft will enhance the alliance's capability to respond to emerging threats.