NATO Units Mock Up Military Aircraft for Euro Banknotes

The NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force and the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force published social media posts suggesting that future euro banknotes should feature American military hardware. The AWACS Force shared an image depicting a Boeing E-3 Sentry and F-16 aircraft on a 20-euro note, while the ISR Force posted images of an RQ-4D Phoenix surveillance drone.

Although the posts were presented as tongue-in-cheek, they drew backlash from some online commenters. One critic, Mats Nilsson, described the activity as a "coordinated NATO psy-op."

These satirical posts contrast with the actual design process managed by the European Central Bank. The bank is currently conducting a public survey on banknotes featuring European birds and historical figures. This survey concludes in late September, with a final design expected by the end of 2026 and circulation targeted for 2030 or 2031.