Ukraine confirms combat flights of its new radar plane

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence confirmed that Swedish-supplied Saab 340 airborne early-warning aircraft equipped with the ASC 890 Erieye radar have flown combat missions since March 2026. Sweden announced the transfer in May 2024 and confirmed it in August 2025, giving Ukraine a platform able to detect and track air and maritime targets at ranges advertised around 450 kilometers and share targeting data with fighters. The announcement establishes operational use but does not disclose sortie rates, patrol areas, availability, engagement results, or how the aircraft are protected against Russian long-range threats.