Sweden has announced that it will transfer its largest military aid package to Ukraine, which will include unique flying radars: ASC-890 radar detection aircraft.
Sweden has announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth 13 billion Swedish kronor (about $1.23 billion), which would be the largest since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The 16th package of military assistance includes something that the Ukrainian Armed Forces never had and which is frankly lacking in the light of the arrival of the F-16 – the ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control of the aircraft “Completely that new airborne capabilities.”
HWhat does this mean?
The press release from the Swedish Ministry of Defense does not indicate the number of such aircraft, but, according to some sources, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will transfer two ACS-890 units.
A flying radar, which is at high altitude, is capable of monitoring the airspace at a wider range than ground-based radars, which are limited to the horizon. Now the Ukrainian Armed Forces does not have such an aircraft.
NATO member countries use various types of reconnaissance aircraft near Ukraine’s borders and over the Black Sea, but they do not fly in the country’s airspace. Therefore, the Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot use their information – the range of flying radars is not enough to monitor the air situation deep in the rear of Russia. That is why it is important for Ukraine to get its own radar – it will be able to fly closer to the front line.
New opportunities
The Swedish radar is capable of detecting air targets at a distance of up to 450 kilometers. This is a rather arbitrary indicator, since the detection range depends on the characteristics of the object – a large bomber can be seen at a greater distance, a fighter at a shorter distance, and the aircraft developed with stealth technology will be closer.
The detection range of a conventional fighter at medium altitude is about 400 kilometers. The range of detection of objects on the surface of the sea is 350 kilometers.
Another advantage of the Swedish aircraft is its potential ability to integrate with the Link 16 information exchange system, which is used by many Western air and ground systems.
The F-16 fighters that Ukraine is likely to receive before the end of 2024 can also connect to such a system and receive information from the radar, which will greatly improve their combat capabilities.
The Defense Express publication calls the transfer of Swedish radar reconnaissance and control aircraft a historic event for Ukraine, noting that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been striving to receive their own radar patrol aircraft for all 33 years of Independence.
The publication assures that such aircraft will give Ukraine additional opportunities to more effectively use F-16 and other aircraft in battles against Russian invaders.
What is there in Russia?
Russia uses long-range radar detection aircraft – the obsolete A-50 and the more modern A-50U. The 2022 Military Balance states that Russia had three legacy A-50s and six A-50Us prior to the invasion.
Two Russian A-50Us were shot down in early 2024. Although the capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces have since been reduced, the presence of such systems still greatly complicates the use of Ukrainian aviation – they control the airspace and control the actions of Russian fighters.
The Swedish ACS-890 aircraft is the same early warning radar aircraft.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.