Swedish-supplied ASC 890 early-warning aircraft has flown combat missions in Ukraine, Kyiv says

Ukraine says a Swedish-supplied ASC 890 airborne early-warning and control aircraft has already flown combat missions over the country, marking its first reported sorties in March 2026.

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry described the aircraft, also known as the Saab 340 AEW&C, as a key part of a NATO-standard air combat system. “This aircraft is capable of detecting aerial assets at considerable range, coordinating the actions of combat aircraft and enhancing the effectiveness of fighter aircraft operations,” the ministry said.

The system is designed to work alongside F-16, Mirage 2000 and Gripen fighter jets that Ukraine’s partners have pledged to provide. Sweden announced in May 2024 that it would supply Ukraine with two ASC 890 aircraft and confirmed in August 2025 that the transfer was proceeding as planned.

The aircraft is manufactured by Swedish defence company Saab. According to Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi, it has a seven-person crew, including three crew members and four radar and airspace-management operators. It can conduct patrol missions at about 300 kilometres per hour and altitudes between 2,000 and 6,000 metres.

Its FSR 890 Erieye radar can track as many as 500 surface targets and 1,000 airborne targets at the same time. The radar can detect targets at altitudes of up to 20 kilometres and has an instrumental range of 450 kilometres. Ukrainian media have also reported that Britain and Sweden planned 300 million euros in support for the supply of 16 modern aircraft to Ukraine.

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This aircraft is capable of detecting aerial assets at considerable range, coordinating the actions of combat aircraft and enhancing the effectiveness of fighter aircraft operations.