Ukraine’s air defences have received a major upgrade as Sweden’s highly advanced ASC 890 airborne radar system is believed to have arrived in the country. The arrival marks a key turning point in Ukraine’s fight to repel air and missile attacks from Russian forces and boost its long-range offensive capabilities using Western-supplied fighter jets.
According to reports from Euromaidan Press, a calibration aircraft has been spotted over western Ukraine, suggesting preparations are underway to fully integrate the Swedish system into Ukrainian defence networks. The ASC 890 aircraft is based on the Saab 340 airframe and equipped with the powerful Erieye radar, capable of tracking enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones across a range of up to 450 kilometres. Operating at altitudes of about 6,000 metres, the aircraft can scan wide areas and relay real-time data to Ukrainian command posts.
Sweden pledged two ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft as part of its largest military aid package to date, worth around €1.16 billion (approximately £990 million). These aircraft will greatly enhance Ukraine’s situational awareness and coordination between air and ground forces.
Unlike Ukraine’s traditional ground-based radar systems, which are limited by terrain and lack mobility, the ASC 890 offers flexible and continuous monitoring from the air. This enables much faster threat detection and interception, especially vital in defending against waves of Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
The arrival of the ASC 890 comes at a strategic moment, as Ukraine prepares to deploy F-16 fighter jets donated by NATO allies. The Swedish aircraft has been upgraded to seamlessly integrate with F-16s, significantly extending their engagement range by providing real-time targeting information. This means Ukrainian pilots will now be able to fire advanced air-to-air missiles from much further distances and with greater precision. The aircraft also act as airborne command centres, guiding Ukrainian fighters to their targets and enhancing battlefield coordination.
Sweden’s support arrives as uncertainty looms over continued American intelligence aid. The ASC 890’s powerful radar fills a crucial gap by giving Ukraine greater independence in detecting and responding to Russian air threats.
