Aviation News – The Ukrainian Air Force has begun operationally using Sweden-donated Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft in combat missions, strengthening its airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence confirmed that the aircraft have been conducting missions since March 2026.
Sweden announced in May 2024 that it would provide Ukraine with two Saab 340-based ASC 890 airborne early-warning and control aircraft. The donation formed part of Sweden’s broader military support for Ukraine and marked a significant enhancement to the country’s ability to monitor airspace and coordinate aerial operations.
The aircraft were formerly operated by the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) as S100D Argus aircraft. Based on the Saab 340 platform, they are equipped with Saab’s Erieye airborne early-warning radar, allowing the aircraft to detect and track airborne targets from considerable distances while operating as an airborne command-and-control platform.
The Erieye radar gives the aircraft a wide-area surveillance capability, while the aircraft’s mission systems allow information to be shared with other Ukrainian forces. Operating from the air can provide commanders with a broader view of the battlespace and support the coordination of fighter aircraft and other air-defence assets.
The Swedish government described the aircraft donation as an important contribution to Ukraine’s defence capabilities, with the ASC 890 intended to provide Ukraine with enhanced airborne surveillance and command-and-control capabilities. The system gives Ukrainian forces an additional layer of situational awareness beyond ground-based radar networks.
The start of combat operations represents an important milestone for Ukraine’s growing airborne early-warning capability. With two aircraft available, the Saab 340 AEW&C fleet could play a valuable role in monitoring Russian air activity and supporting Ukrainian air operations, while also providing experience with a capability Ukraine has not previously operated on this scale.
The Saab 340 AEW&C is therefore becoming an operational component of Ukraine’s airpower architecture, rather than simply a future capability. Its combination of airborne radar, surveillance and command-and-control functions could prove increasingly important as Ukraine continues to strengthen its integrated air-defence and combat-aircraft operations.
