Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal

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1. In a major new development for the Ukrainian military, Sweden is to provide it with two Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with Erieye radar. The donation is part of Sweden’s biggest military aid package for Ukraine so far and the aircraft will bring an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing much-enhanced air and sea surveillance and while working as a big force multiplier for its forthcoming [F-16 fighters](https://www.twz.com/u-s-now-promising-to-fast-track-f-16-fighters-for-ukraine-report).

   The Swedish government today [announced details](https://www.government.se/press-releases/2024/05/military-support-package-16-to-ukraine–new-capability-to-strengthen-ukraines-air-defence-and-support-to-meet-its-prioritised-needs/) of what it calls Military Support Package 16, worth around $1.25 billion and focused on “collective air defense.” At the core of this is the Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft — which is known in Swedish military service as the ASC 890 and alternatively as the S 100D Argus. The Swedish Air Force operates two of these aircraft and the wording of statements from Swedish and Ukrainian officials suggest that both will be provided to Kyiv, although this is so far unconfirmed.

2. And here’s the answer as to how Ukrainian F-16s protect counter & defeat Russian aircraft that superior radar and utilize long range Amraams to get some air air kills an establish a deterrence to glide bombs.

3. Now i hope they have a plan to protect it on the ground and in the air. This thing will prolly be a high priority target for the russians and they’ll toss whatever they have at it

4. im guessing they come with blonde Swedish tech volunteers…

5. I worry for the crews. Russia will go ALL out to nail these asap.

6. This is a big disappointment. If it was supposed to be a part of the Gripen package for Ukraine it feels as Sweden were sidelined by NATO at the last moment when a lot of resources already were put in to the project.

7. Rumor has it that this was supposed to be a package with Gripen and the the pair of AEW craft. But that Sweden was pressured to cut the Gripens at the last minute.

   The argument for this is that Sweden pledged such a large sum (2.5B/year) in military aid that it’s impossible to fulfill without Gripen. There is a big Gripen-shaped hole in that $2.5B and no way to fulfill the promise of another $2.5B in 2025 without Gripen.

   Rumor also has it that the reason for the withdrawal of the Gripens was pressure from other allies, possibly because the Gripens would have been allowed to strike anywhere including in Russia.

   If crews are already trained (or not a year away from being ready) on this pair of aircraft then you can be absolutely sure that there are Gripen pilots that were trained at the same time. The system consists of multiple parts with Gripens, these planes, ground crews, pilots etc.

   Sure these will help with operating F-16s too. But I think it could be a sad sign there is a massive divide among Ukraines allies when it comes to what’s seen as too escalatory. I hope people in France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, USA the Netherlands and elsewhere can pressure their politicians to say the obvious: that Ukraine should use the ATACMS, HARMs, SCALPs and F-16s or whatever it may be to defend itself wherever necessary. Legitimate targets are legitimate also in Russia and Ukraine shouldn’t have its hands tied.