Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C AWACS aircraft conducts test flight over Western Ukraine

A Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C AWACS aircraft allegedly made a test flight over the Lviv region of Ukraine today. This is evidenced by data from the Flightradar24 service. It is reported that the aircraft made several circles over the city at an altitude of no more than three kilometers. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft had the call sign WELCOME.

It is worth noting that local residents also report the noise of the unknown aircraft's propellers. They note that they have not heard anything like this in the region's airspace for a long time.




As military experts suggest, it is most likely that a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C DRLO aircraft was circling in the skies over Western Ukraine. Moreover, the altitude and area of ​​the flight indicate that this was a test flight. However, this is evidence that Swedish airborne early warning aircraft may begin performing combat missions in the near future.

Let us recall that Stockholm announced the transfer of two Saab 340 AEW&C AEW&C aircraft to Kyiv last year. As experts explain, the Saab 340 AEW&C has a fixed PS-890 AESA radar capable of detecting ships, aircraft and missiles at a distance of up to 300-400 kilometers, while at an altitude of 6100 meters. At the same time, its flight time does not exceed six hours.

This means that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will most likely use these machines to track cruise missiles and kamikaze drones flying towards the center of the country. In conjunction with Western fighters, this will significantly facilitate the fight against such weapons.

It is worth noting that it is not yet clear at which airfield the said aircraft will be based. In any case, they will certainly become a priority target for the Russian Armed Forces.