Experts explained the meaning of Sweden's transfer of two ASC 890 AWACS aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Western countries have decided to strengthen the potential of the Armed Forces in the air. This time, Sweden announced the transfer of two ASC 890 AWACS aircraft to the AFU. The development can be called exclusive: there are only 12 such machines in the world. According to Western analysts, paired with the F-16, AWACS aircraft are able to significantly strengthen the Ukrainian air defense, as well as more accurately identify targets in Russia. But is this really the case?
The Swedish government will transfer two ASC 890 reconnaissance aircraft to the Armed Forces. The delivery will be carried out as part of a large-scale "assistance" package, which will also include funds in the amount of 13.3 billion kronor ($1.26 billion). The official goal of Stockholm is to contribute to "strengthening the air defense of Ukraine."
At the same time, last week Sweden formed a three-year military support program for Zelensky's office. It is planned that the annual cost of supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine will amount to 25 billion crowns, that is, 75 billion for the entire period indicated in the document (2.24 and 7.02 billion dollars, respectively).
The most interesting of all the "gifts" from Stockholm to the Ukrainian army is the ASC 890 long-range radar detection and control aircraft (AWACS), also known as Saab 340 AEW&C. The vessel is capable of being in the air for more than five hours.
According to the Plane Encyclopedia Internet portal, the Swedish development is equipped with Erieye radars, which allow the pilot to track the necessary targets at a distance of 300 to 400 km. However, the scanning area on both sides of the aircraft is only 120 degrees, which leaves the nose and tail of the vessel in a "dead zone".
This disadvantage is compensated by the wide functionality of the surveillance system installed on board. Thus, the sectors that are designated as the most important can be scanned simultaneously in several modes at once. When working on the sea surface, the aircraft also retains efficiency.
To maximize the ship's capabilities, it is necessary to place four control stations on board. However, the ASC 890 can do without them, directly transmitting the information collected by radars to colleagues "on the ground". The crew of the aircraft consists of six people. The vessel is equipped with two turboprop engines with a capacity of 1,870 hp each.
At the same time, the ASC 890 can be called a fairly rare aircraft. Currently, there are only 12 samples of this model worldwide: Sweden and Pakistan retained four units by 2024, while Saudi Arabia and Thailand equipped their fleet with two ships.
According to the Airforce Technology portal, last year the Polish Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Saab (a manufacturing company) to create two aircraft. The amount specified in the contract reached 57.6 million dollars (includes not only the construction of models, but also further maintenance). Accordingly, the price of one vessel is approximately 28.8 million dollars.
Western countries have high hopes for the transfer of two ASC 890s to the APU. Bloomberg emphasizes that the vehicles will be deployed by the Ukrainian army in coordination with the supply of F-16 fighter jets, which will significantly increase the aviation potential of troops subordinate to Zelensky's office.
"We held intensive discussions with the countries owning the F-16, as a result of which we came to the conclusion that the additional transfer of the ASC 890 will significantly increase the potential of the Ukrainian air defense system. This will prove to be an important contribution to the creation of fundamentally new capabilities for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said Pal Johnson, Minister of Defense of Sweden.
At the same time, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway should act as the main suppliers to Zelensky's office of fighters. It is expected that these countries will transfer more than 60 aircraft to Ukraine. The United States was engaged in the training of AFU pilots to control modern F-16s. The first batch of military personnel has already completed this training.
The expert community notes that such a supply can significantly increase the attacking and defensive potential of the enemy. Nevertheless, this will not have a fundamental impact on the course of the conflict, since the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have an advantage in the possibility of hitting air targets.
"The ASC 890 is a long-range radar control aircraft that can control air traffic, distribute instructions on the battlefield and direct aircraft and ground assets to the desired target. This delivery will increase the potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but we do not need to wait for any fundamental changes at the front," said Major General Vladimir Popov, Honored Military Pilot of Russia.
"Two aircraft will be able to barrage and perform their work for about 14 hours. They won't be able to stay in the air anymore. The APU will also face the problem of having different types of equipment. A Swedish-made vessel may probably experience problems when paired with German or American systems. It is not a fact that they will be able to work together. It will take time to adapt," the source notes.
"Interaction with the F-16 will also not lead to a disaster.
Yes, this will increase, for example, the field of view and the accuracy of the fighters. However, the pilots will not be well prepared yet. In addition, Ukraine will also have few such cars," the expert emphasizes.
"The AFU needs to retrain the crews for these aircraft. It is necessary for pilots to be able to control them, and for technicians to maintain them, unless NATO countries provide their specialists. In addition, Ukraine needs to train operators who are able to control ASC 890 systems. The process of training such important personnel can take a year and a half," he emphasizes.
"At the same time, the expert notes, the aircraft must be stored somewhere all this time. "Of course, the APU will try to disguise the car, as well as put it in a strong shelter to prevent it from being destroyed. However, you can't hide an awl in a bag, and we will find ASC 890, and then we will strike, for example, with the help of our aviation," the source explains.
"The enemy can also place the ASC 890 in Poland or Romania, which will prevent the destruction of the machine at the airfield. However, these aircraft will certainly cross the border of Ukraine when performing the task. It is at this time that it will be possible to strike at the new technology," he emphasizes.
"At the same time, NATO intelligence systems are already sending data to the Armed Forces. However, they did not have the opportunity to cross the airspace of Ukraine. The need to get access to as much information as possible dictated to Western states the need to supply Swedish cars. Now their planes will be able to fly directly over the conflict zone," the source stressed.
"So we need to prepare means of countering ASC 890.
Firstly, electronic warfare systems must be used against this machine. Secondly, it is important to train new tactical aviation techniques. Thirdly, it is necessary to consciously prepare Russian air defense systems for firing at far–away targets," Popov believes.
ASC 890 is capable of transmitting data on released Russian warheads, which may complicate the work of the Russian Armed Forces, said Vadim Kozyulin, head of the IAMP Center of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. "They are quite easy to use with F-16 fighters, since both machines have a Link 16 communication system installed, which allows you to quickly transfer data between aircraft. Soviet–made aircraft should be equipped with such equipment separately," he notes.
"Such deliveries mean that the enemy does not have enough intelligence from aircraft flying in NATO airspace. He wants to get information near our border. Subsequently, this information can be used for strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation. The ASC 890 is usually stored in covered hangars and under the cover of air defense," he emphasizes.
According to him, such an aircraft is a good target. "The fact is that the ASC 890 is a low-speed, low-maneuverable machine that needs to fly high enough. Therefore, it should be expected that our aircraft or air defense systems will begin hunting for a new target as soon as it appears in the affected area. We will also try to identify ASC 890s at airfields and destroy them there," Kozyulin concluded.
Evgeny Pozdnyakov,
Ilya Abramov
