The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C) Programme is often cited as one of the most successful
collaborative ventures ever undertaken by the Alliance. The fleet of 16 NE‑3A aircraft represents the world’s first
multi-national, fully integrated Air Force, and is one of the few military assets that is actually owned and operated by
NATO.
It is a tangible example of what NATO Nations can achieve by pooling resources and working together in a truly
multi-national environment that provides the Alliance with a readily available capability which enhances its ability to
counter today’s ever-evolving threats and offers a highly visible symbol of its cohesion and solidarity.