NATO has canceled its plan to acquire six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, following a joint decision led by the Netherlands and supported by several other European member states. The move comes after the U.S. Department of Defense withdrew from the project earlier this summer.
The alliance currently operates a fleet of 14 E-3A Sentry aircraft based at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. With these aircraft expected to reach the end of their operational life around 2035, NATO will need to select a new platform. The aging fleet is pushing the alliance to search for a more modern, quieter, and cost-effective solution.
Following the cancellation, NATO is expected to explore a European-built AWACS alternative to replace the E-7 option. Officials noted that this shift also reflects a growing desire within the alliance for greater autonomy in defense procurement.
