NATO Faces Critical Air Defense Gap as Netherlands Abandons E-7 Wedgetail Order

During the past decade, the manner in which wars are fought has changed. Yet European nations have remained steadfast in ensuring their collective security, making defense spending a priority. That posture is beneficial for all NATO partners, both providing security and bolstering the overall defense industry and local economies.

However, the current transatlantic geopolitical environment is promoting greater national industrial sovereignty and autonomy. Balancing the need to quickly address critical modernization as well as the European desire for more “home grown” military platforms and to only source domestically produced products is a challenge that threatens NATO’s collective capabilities, but it doesn’t have to.

Ensuring Collective Defense Together
The relationship between the United States and Europe has been fundamental to regional security for decades. Operating joint programs like the F-35, AH-64 attack helicopter, and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft have proven effective for deterrence and active military operations. It’s critical this cooperative approach continues, particularly in air superiority.

The E-7 Wedgetail is the linchpin that holds together the future of air battle management between nations and across multiple theaters simultaneously. Take Australia’s Operation Kudu for example, which deployed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetails to protect the skies of Eastern Europe. E-7s were critical to protecting supply lines delivering aid to Ukraine, deterring further Russian aggression into NATO territory, and delivering valuable intelligence.

However, the RAAF mission has concluded, and NATO faces a looming capability gap in airborne early warning and control (AEW&C). NATO’s solution—acquiring its own E-7 Wedgetail fleet to continue securing European skies—was recently thrown into question after the Netherlands announced it would have to cancel the acquisition.

The fact is, the E-7 Wedgetail is the only aircraft that meets all of NATO’s critical needs for AEW&C to achieve air superiority. So, as member nations begin debate on which aircraft it should acquire, there’s only one question worth asking: what is at stake if it chooses a less-capable aircraft?

If military capability and international cooperation aren’t enough, consider that NATO allies have a shared economic interest in the E-7. With European suppliers already contributing to the global fleet and the RAAF E-7 performing regular missions on the Eastern border of Poland, choosing the E-7 to replace older AEW&C aircraft would help NATO support economic and industrial stability.

The flexible global production and modification of the E-7 exemplify how allied nations can collectively build a resilient industrial defense infrastructure. For example, two 737 Next Generation aircraft are currently on British soil undergoing modification into the Royal Air Force (RAF) E-7 Wedgetail by a highly skilled team at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham. Facilities at RAF Lossiemouth will deliver mission systems training and line engineering for the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail fleet. This program has already generated 150 skilled jobs in the U.K. and integrated more than 40 British suppliers into NATO’s supply chain, with opportunity to grow.

Additionally, the E-7 Wedgetail Joint Vision Statement between the RAAF, RAF, and U.S. Air Force drives collaborative discussions that will encourage cooperation on technical maturation, provide economies of scale to drive affordability, and enhance resilience against global disruptions. This aligns with NATO’s current Strategic Concept to enhance interoperability not only as a military imperative but also as an economic multiplier that creates a shared industrial base.

Global Security and Sustainment Advantages
A strong transatlantic relationship is key to growing international trade and ensuring global security, especially in a time of military conflicts at Europe’s doorstep. The E-7 Wedgetail has the most capable airborne early warning and control capability, delivering around-the-clock, multi-domain, globally interoperable capabilities.

The RAAF’s recent deployment to Poland exemplifies this. The E-7 effectively shared real-time data with NATO in an active battlespace while demonstrating its rapid tasking, sustained operations, and reliable interoperability for prolonged missions. It also provides operators with several of their most valuable resources: fleet readiness, responsiveness, deployability, and integration.

Its in-production 737 platform has a reliability rate of 99% and a worldwide base of support, parts, and training. Because the E-7 is a commercial derivative, it leverages the airframe’s commonality to reduce costs and the 737’s global parts availability. With mature supply chains, common spare parts, and lower lifecycle risks and costs, the E-7 can provide operators with what they need anytime, anywhere.

The E-7 Wedgetail is an investment in deterrence, alliance cohesion, and the European supply chain. By choosing an interoperable, proven platform, Europe can join an allied force that can see clearly, act decisively, and operate across borders.