NATO Selects E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet as E-3 Replacement

NATO has chosen the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as its next airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform to replace the aging E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) plans to acquire six E-7A aircraft as part of the Initial Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (iAFSC) effort. The E-7A, already in service with Australia, South Korea, and Turkey, was selected for its commonality and interoperability with other E-7 fleets. The decision aims to enhance NATO's readiness and capabilities in response to evolving security challenges. The E-7A will be part of an integrated network of sensors, including drones, space-based systems, and other surveillance aircraft, forming the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) system of systems capability.