UK's limited purchase of E‑7 Wedgetail sparks defense debate
Later this year, the United Kingdom will commission its first E-7 Wedgetail, an advanced AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. However, analysts note that London reduced its order to just three aircraft several years ago to cut costs. The Wedgetail's importance has grown significantly following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
AWACS are airborne early warning and control aircraft. They provide significant capabilities to the forces that possess them, enabling much more effective reconnaissance than relying solely on ground-based radars. The role of AWACS has been highlighted in the Ukraine conflict, where such aircraft are often called the "eyes of the Russian air force."
E-7 Wedgetail in service in the United Kingdom
The E-7 Wedgetail aircraft will replace the E-3 Sentry in the UK Air Force, which has already retired from service. Analysts at Defense Express recall that in 2019, London signed a contract for five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft. However, in the Integrated Review defense review of 2021, it was decided to reduce this number to three. This reduction allowed for decreased expenditures, as AWACS aircraft are among the costlier military assets.
On the other hand, given the current geopolitical situation, each AWACS is considered equipment "worth its weight in gold." Only a dozen such aircraft are currently available across NATO, with the vast majority belonging to the U.S. The British air force is expected to receive its first E-7 Wedgetail by December 2025, and all three are planned to be in service until 2042.
E-7 Wedgetail: What kind of aircraft is it?
Analysts at Defense Express emphasize that having three instead of five AWACS will significantly limit the United Kingdom's capabilities. Due to these cost-saving measures, the UK will not be able to claim full independence from NATO for air reconnaissance. Concerns about the equipment also exist, as the British E-7 Wedgetails have not been granted access to Skynet satellites; instead, they will rely on the Iridium network.
Analysts note that it remains unclear how much this technical detail might delay data transmission from British AWACS aircraft to end users.
The E-7 Wedgetail is already in service with the U.S., Australian, South Korean, and Turkish air forces. It is significantly lighter than the E-3 Sentry, featuring a flat and fixed radome without the heavy mechanism needed for rotation and stabilization. The MESA (Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array) provides 360-degree airspace and surface observation, with a range of up to 370 miles.
