AWACS’ night

a NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry (registration LX-N90453) was tracked last night operating over eastern Türkiye—marking the first time we have observed a NATO AWACS flying this far east in Turkish airspace.

The mission, which began in the evening and extended into the night, was clearly part of the broader response to the Iranian missile attacks against Israel, with the E-3A tasked with monitoring the airspace for any threats potentially endangering Turkish territory.

At the same time, two Royal Saudi Air Force Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft were also active, flying long orbits over northern Saudi Arabia. These missions likely aimed to safeguard Saudi airspace and that of other allied Gulf nations from any missile spillover or escalation.

The simultaneous deployment of NATO and Saudi airborne early warning platforms underscores the high level of alert and coordination among regional and allied forces in light of the evolving threat environment.