Sweden announced on Wednesday (29) its largest military package for Ukraine, which continues to face Russia in a conflict with no plans for a resolution. Now, the Ukrainian Air Force will have, for the first time, a radar aircraft, in the form of the Saab 340 AEW&C (ASC 890). On the other hand, the Swedes also suspended the possible sending of Gripen fighters to Kiev.
Valued at US$1,3 billion (13,3 billion Swedish kronor), the latest package to the Ukrainians includes 155 mm artillery shells, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles (Rb 99) and Pansarbandvagn 302 (PBV 302) armored vehicles. The 16th Swedish package will also give Ukrainians fuel transport vehicles, financial, logistical and maintenance and terminals for satellite communications.
The 'icing on the cake', however, is the transfer of at least two ASC 890 early warning aircraft. Also called Saab 340 AEW&C or S 100 Argus, the turboprops have an Erieye radar mounted on the back, similar to the Embraer E-99 of the Brazilian Air Force, which have the same sensor.
With the introduction of the ASC 890, the Ukrainian Air Force will have a substantial increase in its capacity, as it will be able to detect and track planes and even missiles in advance. Sweden recognizes that the transfer of the planes “will imply a temporary decrease” in its own air defense capacity, which will be recovered with the new S 106 Globaleye.
Gripen no, F-16 yes
At the same time, Stockholm also temporarily suspended the idea of donating Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets to the Ukrainians. The decision, however, was a request from NATO nations, an alliance of which Sweden recently became a member.
According to a spokesman for Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson, partner governments have asked the Swedes not to donate the planes now, in favor of introducing F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.
“Our Air Force coalition partners stress that there are significant complexities involved in the simultaneous introduction of two fighter jet systems and that the focus should be on introducing the F-16 system into the Ukrainian Air Force,” the official told AFP. Although Sweden had not yet made a formal decision on sending the Gripens, the country was already considering transferring the fighters and even launched studies to determine the feasibility of the operation.
Since last year, the Netherlands and Denmark have led a coalition of 11 countries that have come together to supply dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine, which today only has old Soviet-era jets such as the Su-25, Su-27 and MiG- 29.
In addition to delivering the planes, the nations are also training Ukrainian pilots and mechanics to fly and maintain the 'new' planes, which are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the coming months.
