Recently, Swedish defense officials have confirmed to local Ukrainian media that the transfer of two of their Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force is progressing as planned, with only a series of modifications to Ukraine’s F-16 fighters remaining to ensure compatibility between both platforms. This type of aircraft is currently in service with the Swedish Air Force, where it is used for airborne early warning and control missions, and its transfer to Ukraine was announced last May.
The news was reported by the Ukrainian outlet Delfi, which inquired with the Swedish Ministry of Defense about the status of the transfer, including the delivery schedule and the requirements for its completion. Quoting some statements from Swedish officials in response: “The delivery dates for the ASC890 (Ed. Note: Saab 340 AEW&C) are linked to when certain modifications to the F-16 fighter will be ready (…) We are working according to the original schedule, but for security reasons, we will not disclose when and where certain actions have been or will be carried out.”
It is worth noting that these aircraft are equipped with powerful AESA radars from Saab’s Erieye family, providing detection and tracking capabilities for both airborne and naval targets at maximum distances of 300 to 400 kilometers. Mounted on the upper side of the aircraft, the radar is capable of operating even in mountainous regions, under harsh weather conditions, and despite enemy electronic jamming efforts. Additionally, the Ukrainian Air Force has already sent personnel to Sweden to begin training on operating these systems, maintaining hopes for a significant boost in capabilities once the process is completed.
Furthermore, it is useful to mention that even before the announcement of this aircraft transfer to Kyiv, Stockholm had already planned to acquire new airborne early warning aircraft to sustain its own air force’s capabilities. In this regard, Sweden has ordered new Saab GlobalEye aircraft for a total of $741 million, an agreement signed in 2022.
Finally, reviewing the various military aid packages that Sweden has sent to Ukraine, it is clear that the Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to be delivered are just one of the many systems committed since the start of the conflict. In this regard, we can mention the transfer of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, Archer self-propelled howitzers, Stridsvagn 122 tanks, and RBS 70 and IRIS-T air defense systems, among other assets. In concrete terms, this amounts to more than 61.9 billion Swedish kronor provided by the Swedish government in military assistance, making the country one of Kyiv’s key European partners.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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