Sweden's Saab 340 aircraft to revolutionize Ukrainian air defence

Ukrainian military expert Valery Romanenko believes that Sweden's transfer of two Saab 340 AEW&C early warning aircraft to Ukraine will be a revolutionary event, according to Ukrinform. These aircraft, together with F-16 fighters, are expected to change the situation in the air drastically. According to Romanenko, the planes will allow for the shooting down of over 95 per cent of Russian targets. What is known about the Saab 340 AEW&C, which are expected to enhance the capabilities of the F-16s provided to Ukraine?

As part of the largest military aid package to Ukraine to date, Sweden has decided to transfer two Saab 340 AEW&C early warning aircraft. Valery Romanenko, an aviation expert and researcher at the Ukrainian State Aviation Museum, quoted by Ukrinform, pointed out that Ukraine (excluding Belarus) was the only European country without early warning aircraft.

He believes that their transfer to Ukraine will be a revolutionary event and will improve the combat against aerial targets, including Russian cruise missiles, helicopters, and fighters. "We can shoot down over 95 per cent of ballistic targets. The Russians will be helpless," noted Romanenko. The Saab 340 AEW&C will cooperate with F-16 fighters, which Ukraine will likely receive in the summer. They will also help direct the fire of missiles, air defence, and other weapons.

Ukrinform highlights the differences and similarities between the Russian Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft and the Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C, which the Ukrainians will use. As it turns out, the Russian machines, which are a key element in coordinating attacks using fighters and drones or in observation missions, face significant competition. According to the service, both aircraft are "almost identical." However, the major difference is that "the A-50s are much older and are no longer produced by Russia (though there have been single attempts to modernize them - the same A-50U), while Sweden regularly upgrades the Saab's radar."

Another advantage of the Swedish aircraft is its potential integration with the Link 16 information exchange system, used in many Western air and ground systems. Ukraine is likely to receive the F-16s soon, which will also be able to connect to such a system and receive information from the radar, significantly improving their combat capabilities.

As we have already reported, Ukrainians will receive two S 100D Argus aircraft in the FSR-890 version (Saab 340B AEW-300). These planes are based on the passenger Saab 340. They are nearly 21 meters long, with a wingspan of approximately 22 meters and a height of almost 7 meters. The machines can fly at 300 km/h speeds and stay airborne for about 5 hours. The radar on board improves detecting and identifying targets from long distances, even when flying very low.