NATO (North Atlantic accord Organisation) has signed a 1 billion dollar contract with Boeing to upgrade their aerial observation fleet. they’re overhauling their current AWACS surveillance fleet to serve within the role until 2035.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and also the President of Boeing International, Sir Michael Arthur, met at Melsbroek airfield in the capital of Belgium on Wednesday (27 November 2019). This marked the major investment in the Alliance’s fleet of AWACS police work aircraft. NATO’s $1 billion contracts with Boeing can modernise the AWACS fleet, guaranteeing they still support the Alliance’s missions to 2035.
The secretary-general underlined that nato continues to adapt, and is already coming up with for the replacement of the AWACS in 2035.
“NATO can work closely with industry. we will consider how technologies – like AI, autonomous systems and large data – will help nato keep its edge,” he said.
The secretary-general added that nato is a crucial platform. Allies will cooperate and invest in new capabilities for shared security.
“NATO will work closely with industry. We will consider how technologies – like artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and big data – can help NATO keep its edge,” he said.
The Secretary-General added that NATO is an important platform. Allies can join forces and invest in new capabilities for shared security.
“We will continue to modernise and adapt our Alliance, both now and in the future,” he said.
First flown in 1982 and repeatedly modernised, the Boeing-made planes, which can detect hostile aircraft, missiles, ships and other weaponry far beyond NATO borders. These aircraft will be overhauled with more powerful computer processors, servers and equipment. The fourteen aircraft are based at an airbase in Germany, which can already exchange information via digital data links, with ground-based, sea-based and airborne commanders, but need a greater capacity to transmit data as technology develops.
The upgrade will keep one of the few military assets owned and operated by the Western alliance in service until 2035. AWACS have been flown in support of the international coalition against Islamic State, gazing deep into Syria from Turkey, as well as along NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Sixteen NATO allies will fund this deal, including the United States, Germany, Turkey, Italy and Spain, and some work will be subcontracted to European suppliers including Airbus and Leonardo.
The modernisation comes as NATO takes delivery of the first of five Global Hawk drones, which will be based in Italy. After years of delays, the high-altitude drones made by Northrop Grumman give the alliance spy drones for the first time and will work with the AWACS to protect ground troops, as well as other tasks.
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