In parallel with its integration into NATO, Sweden also got closer to France and common subjects have multiplied in a short time. The two countries had planned to make the Task Force X In Baltic (read elsewhere), a subject which ultimately did not take off, for lack of time. However, France has concluded a big file by starting the replacement of its four Boeing E-3F Awacs (whose maintenance costs are likely to fly in the coming years) by two Globaley of Saab, with an option for two others, which correspond to the format currently used by the Air and Space Army (AAE).
The letter of intention signed on June 18 at the Bourget fair is not yet a contract which must follow ” in the coming months “Said Saab, taking up the terms of the Directorate General of Armament (DGA). However, on the same day, the Swedish aircraft manufacturer announced an agreement with the French Sabena Technics for the modification of devices and, in the long term, their maintenance. Unlike the E-7 Wedgetail, which aroused some doubts, the use of the Globaley had the favors of the AAE, allowing to quickly replace the E-3F ” Without capacity rupture “Said the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Several Western countries, including Australia and Great Britain, have acquired it well, but the United States is changing their minds on the system, 26 copies of which were planned from 2028. In the short term, it is … Hawkeye who could make the welding, following a decision by the Trump administration, based on the program’s delays.
The Globaleye is based on a VIP Global Express 6000/6500 VIP transport aircraft with the ERIEYE Extended Range Radar system (the original version of which was also sold on SAAB 340 and EMB-45). The device already equips the United Arab Emirates and will equip Sweden in 2027. It displays a detection range of more than 650 km with, in addition, an air-surface radar, an optronic ball, electronic interception equipment, an IFF radar (AMI/enemy identification), an AIS issuer (its equivalent for ships) and an autoprotection system. With internal full, it can fly 11 hours and take off from standard land (2,200 m) of which AWACS were not necessarily satisfied. At an altitude of 12,000 m, it can detect an aircraft flying at an altitude of sixty meters at 458 km away. A rest area also allows you to take a succession team for the most complex missions.
A contract to supply Akeron MP missiles (average range) was also signed (Sweden had already acquired a small lot, especially for its special forces).
In parallel, the two Defense Ministers signed a roadmap on the same day to accentuate cooperation between the two countries in the following areas: air surveillance, anti-tank frame, Meteor missile (already on Gripen, Saab participating in the program), the short and medium-range soil-to-air systems (the aster is cited) and the defense and intervention frigate that could meet Swedish needs ( Using only corvettes). As we have seen, the navy will test the rapid CB90 amphibious boats for 18 months.
If the Globaleye contract is confirmed, it would be, by far, the biggest value concerning the Franco-Swedish relationship. France had already bought Swedish equipment in the past, but in reasoned quantity: four Giraffe Sol-Air-Air radars acquired in 2001, robots intended for the future control system, vehicles made for the Alpine brigade, 3e Foreign infantry regiment (REI) and amphibious regiments, as well as at4 rockets in several successive versions. SAAB also cooperated with Airbus Helicopters on electronic war systems. For its part, Sweden had acquired NH90 helicopters and bonus shells and had participated, with Saab, in the European Neuron combat drone program.
Paradoxically, the oldest Franco-Swedish relationship dates back to operations. Indeed, the special forces of the two countries had operated together in 2003 and 2006 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – yet rather distant from Swedish interests – then in Mali within the Task Force Takuba. This was also commissioned for four months by a Swedish officer. The kingdom had contributed to action groups, helicopters, a C-130 and a medical capacity.