Sweden has announced that it is providing Ukraine with the largest package of military assistance, which will include unique flying radars: ASC-890 radar detection aircraft.
The transfer of such aircraft to Ukraine is big and important news, as they will significantly strengthen the air force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after they receive F-16 fighters from Western allies, the BBC writes.
The Swedish Defence Ministry's press release does not mention the number of such aircraft, but according to several sources, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive two ACS-890s.
The flying radar, while at high altitude, is capable of monitoring the airspace over a longer range than ground-based radars limited by the horizon, the publication notes. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not have such aircraft.
NATO member states use various types of reconnaissance aircraft near the borders of Ukraine and the Black Sea, but they do not fly into the country's airspace. Therefore, the Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot use their information – the radar range is not sufficient to monitor the air situation deep behind the Russian lines. That is why it was important for Ukraine to get its own radar.
Russia uses long-range radar detection aircraft – the outdated A-50 and the more modern A-50U. Before the invasion, Russia had three outdated A-50s and six A-50Us.
Two Russian A-50Us were shot down in early 2024. Although the capabilities of the Russian VKS have since been reduced, the presence of such systems greatly complicates the use of Ukrainian aviation – they control the airspace and control the actions of Russian fighters.
Swedish ACS-890 aircraft (also called Saab 340B) are similar early warning aircraft. However, the radar for this system was developed in the early 1990s and has since been modernised, meaning that it is a much more advanced system.
According to the manufacturer, Erieye is capable of detecting air targets at a distance of up to 450 kilometres.
Another advantage of the Swedish aircraft is the potential to integrate it into the Link 16 information exchange system, which is used by many Western air and ground systems.
F-16 fighters, which Ukraine is likely to receive by the end of 2024, can also connect to such a system and receive radar information, which will significantly improve their combat capabilities.
Background. As a reminder, Sweden has announced a record-breaking aid package worth more than $1.2 billion. It will include, among other things: the entire stock of Swedish Pansarbandvagn 302 armoured personnel carriers (APC 302) for the new brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; the Rb 99 robotic fighter (AMRAAM), which can be used both on aircraft and in ground-based air defence systems; 155 mm artillery ammunition; surplus tanks that Sweden has, etc.