Sweden’s Defense Minister has confirmed that Ukraine will receive Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEWCS) aircraft as scheduled, but only after Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets are upgraded to integrate with them.
Sweden announced plans to supply an undisclosed number of Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force in May last year. Currently, the Swedish Ministry of Defense is conducting training for Ukrainian pilots, maintenance crews, and onboard equipment operators to prepare them for the integration of these systems.
The upgrades to Ukraine’s F-16s are necessary due to the absence of the Link 16 tactical data exchange network in the transferred aircraft. Swedish aircraft are designed to operate with Link 16, which facilitates secure data sharing and improved battlefield awareness. The absence of this capability has been highlighted as a tactical disadvantage.
Details regarding the delivery schedule and the number of aircraft involved remain classified for security reasons.
The integration of Saab 340 AEWCS aircraft is expected to enhance Ukraine’s air defense and surveillance capabilities, providing a strategic advantage in managing aerial threats and coordinating air operations.
