Netherlands plans to buy Saab GlobalEye aircraft
Thursday 10th September 2026 on 09:30 in
Sweden
The Netherlands plans to buy a GlobalEye surveillance aircraft from Saab under a new agreement with Sweden, SVT reports.
Sweden and the Netherlands have signed a declaration of intent on long-term cooperation in airborne surveillance and command capabilities. The agreement was signed by Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius.
“Through the agreement, we are deepening defence cooperation between our countries and can together take greater responsibility for Europe’s collective defence,” Jonson said in a government press release.
The Netherlands has not previously had its own aircraft capable of surveillance and command operations and has instead relied on NATO.
The Dutch government said that close cooperation with the Swedish Air Force and Swedish aircraft would strengthen both countries’ capabilities in the region, with close links to NATO’s capabilities.
Delivery is planned for 2031. From 2028, Dutch crews will be able to train on Sweden’s GlobalEye systems.