March 14, 2009: Seventeen NATO nations have agreed to contribute $1.89 billion to establish the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system. This will consist of eight U.S. built Global Hawk UAVs, equipped with spy satellite grade surveillance equipment (cameras and radar), fifteen ground stations and software to get the data to any NATO member quickly. The late model (Block 40) Global Hawks will be able to get to any part of the globe (the U.S. has flown them across the Pacific, on automatic) quickly, and put eyes on the trouble spot.

Germany has already pledged $400 million for AGS, which is supposed to be operational in three years. AGS has been in the planning and discussion stage for over a decade.