Ukraine conflict: Sweden pledges AEW&C aircraft for Kyiv, Belgium firm…

Sweden is to contribute a Saab ASC 890 to Ukraine's war effort, providing airborne early warning against Russian aircraft and cruise missile attacks. (Saab)

Sweden and Belgium have pledged to send early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and combat jets respectively to Ukraine, in two separate announcements geared at bolstering the country's air defences.

The Swedish government said on 29 May that it will send an Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASC) 890 AEW&C aircraft, based on the Saab 340 airframe. The day prior on 28 May, the Belgian government used the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce that it will transfer 30 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to Ukraine.

Sweden's commitment to deliver an ASC 890 AEW&C aircraft (one from the Swedish Air Force's inventory of two), is part of a wider package of military aid for Kyiv valued at SEK13.3 billion (USD1.25 billion). “The ASC 890 will provide Ukraine with a new capability against both airborne and maritime targets. Ukraine's capability to identify targets at long range will be strengthened,” Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said, adding that training, technical equipment, and support for aerial surveillance and command and control will also be provided.

As noted in Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Air