Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Swedish-supplied Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft, also known as ASC 890, have already been used in combat operations over Ukraine since March 2026. The disclosure identifies the long-range airborne early warning and control platforms as part of the country’s air-defence network, supporting target detection, fighter coordination and wider air-surveillance tasks.
Sweden pledged two aircraft in May 2024, with the transfer later confirmed in August 2025, but this is the first public acknowledgement that the aircraft are operational in Ukraine. Their use is seen as particularly relevant for fighter integration, including with F-16s and Mirage 2000s, while also improving command-and-control links across the air picture. Ukraine previously lacked a dedicated AEW&C capability of this type.
The confirmation followed reporting on the Air Force Capability Coalition, which has framed the aircraft as part of a broader NATO-standard air system buildout. Public reporting has not identified the airbase involved, the number of sorties flown or how many of the aircraft are in regular use, but it does establish that combat missions began in March.