E-3D Sentry for the Chilean Air Force: doubts and certainties

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Recent rumors spread by the British press. The Chilean Air Force (FACh) is negotiating the acquisition of AWACS Boeing E-3D ex-Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, which have aroused mixed opinions.

On the one hand, the potential capabilities that these aircraft would contribute to the defense of Chilean airspace are recognized; on the other hand, other voices have expressed their doubts regarding the hypothetical operational availability of the Sentry.

In addition, the possible sale by the United Kingdom would go back to decisions taken by the Ministry of Defense of that country informed at the end of 2020, before these systems were withdrawn from service at the end of July 2021.

First of all, the doubts focus on future availability and logistic support. During the last decade, since 2009, the Royal Air Force has been gradually withdrawing these aircraft from service. From the original fleet of seven aircraft introduced in 1991, by 2020, the RAF had only three available.

The rest of the fleet was used as a spare parts bank to sustain a reduced operational core while awaiting a replacement, which will only be realized with the entry into service of the E-7 Wedgetail in 2023.

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The situation is not minor, bearing in mind that the platform used by the Sentry is the mythical Boeing 707, with excellent capabilities, but that over the decades, the logistical support and maintenance of the aircraft has become increasingly expensive. This situation partly caused the British E-3Ds not to undergo a modernization program emulating their American counterparts, which were brought up to the Block 40/45 (E-3G) standard.

Although no further details of the negotiations between the Chilean and British representatives are known, it is likely that, if the sale is finalized, the E-3Ds to be received will include an essential lot of spare parts and components with which to guarantee the operability of the aircraft for the next few years.

In terms of assumptions, it is not unreasonable to think that the FACh authorities are paying attention to the fate of the current USAF E-3G fleet. Although the fleet of 31 aircraft has recently been modernized, the USAF has already begun to evaluate candidates for replacement during the current decade.

Last October, a contract for developing “E-3 Replacement Aircraft Studies and Analysis” was reportedly awarded to Boeing. The company’s selection could suggest that the future replacement for the E-3G would be the E-7 Wedgetail, emulating the decision taken by the United Kingdom.

Depending on how long the transition process from one system to another takes, it could impact the availability of a significant bank of future spare parts available for sale to other air forces operating the system.

This is, after all, a simple assumption, the action of which is subject to an assortment of factors and variables.

However, going back to the heart of the matter, the rumor reported by the British press has a certainty of being considered. Before their decommissioning in 2021, the British authorities informed in December 2020 that these aircraft could not be sold entirely to third countries but only for scrapping.

This follows from the official publication presented on December 20, 2020, where the Defense Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) reported the offer, being withdrawn in February 2021.

The latest news on the fate of the E-3D came on October 19 last year, with the publication of the new DESA promotional list. In it, the Sentry aircraft appeared again for sale to third parties, receiving a brief promotional description of their characteristics and capabilities.

It specifies that the aircraft, derived from the Boeing 707, are equipped with the AN/APY-2 radar and original equipment belonging to the Sentry AEW.Mk1 version, with the most efficient CFM56-2 engines providing a flight autonomy of up to 18 hours.

Finally, rumors of negotiations for acquiring a new AWACS platform by the FACh confirm that the Boeing EC-707C Condor is going through the last stage of its operational lifeguarding the trans-Andean airspace.

The aircraft, incorporated in 1995 and belonging to the Aviation Group No. 10 of the II Brigade, has provided essential capabilities, becoming a unique means in the region. Still, a program for its replacement will have to be undertaken sooner rather than later.

As reported by several media, the FACh has been receiving several alternatives for the future replacement of the Condor. To mention some of the options evaluated, we can find the proposals presented by IAI, which gave several solutions of airborne AESA radars that can be adapted to several platforms.

Among them were the Airbus C295 and the Praetor 600 AEW, product of a partnership with the Brazilian company Embraer. The EL/W-2085, which has the Gulfstream G550 as its platform, was also presented. Other outstanding products are those offered by SAAB based on the Global Eye with its Erieye ER radar, whose platform is the Bombardier Global 6000/6500.

Thus, the interest in the E-3D ex-RAF can be seen as a more evaluated alternative by the Chilean authorities, with its strengths and weaknesses. Although there are no details of the amounts involved in the negotiations, it can be assumed that the cost offered for the Sentry should be lower than the previously mentioned options.

However, although the aircraft above have a higher acquisition cost as they are new, they should also have a lower operating cost than the British Sentry with 30 years of service in their planes.

In addition, in case of advancing in the provision of these aircraft, the possible sale will have to have the approval and approval of the Government and Congress of the United States for the sale of sensitive military equipment; as well as the acceptance of future support packages for the Chilean Air Force.

The information available to date is scarce, sailing between rumors and speculations, and the Ministries of Defense of Chile and the United Kingdom have not officially pronounced themselves. For these reasons, the rumor echoed on January 18 through the specialized media UK Defense Journal raises doubts and certainties to define the fate of the British E-3D Sentry that watched over the European skies for 30 years.