---
title: "Swedish ASC 890 in the Ukrainian sky: Defense Ministry confirms combat sorties of the AWACS aircraft for the first time"
description: "Ukraine's Defense Ministry has confirmed for the first time that the Swedish ASC 890 AWACS aircraft has been carrying out combat sorties since March 2026, helping to form a full-fledged air defense system."
date: 2026-09-06T08:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/swedish-asc-890-combat-sorts-ukraine-en
tags: [asc-890, sweden, ukraine-air-defense, aewc, saab-340, f-16]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Swedish ASC 890 in the Ukrainian sky: Defense Ministry confirms combat sorties of the AWACS aircraft for the first time

![Swedish ASC 890 AEW&C aircraft (Saab 340) with radar array taking off in the Ukrainian sky](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/06/shvedskiy-asc-890-boevye-vylety-ukraina/shvedskiy-asc-890-boevye-vylety-ukraina-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Ukraine's Defense Ministry has confirmed for the first time the combat sorties of the Swedish ASC 890 AWACS aircraft.
- According to the ministry, the aircraft has been on combat duty since March 2026 — about six months.
- The aircraft (Saab 340 AEW&C / S-100B Argus) is capable of detecting aircraft at 200–250 km and missiles at 150–200 km.
- Experts call it a key element that closes a decades-long AEW&C gap left after the collapse of the USSR.
- In combination with F-16s, the aircraft significantly strengthens Ukraine's air defense.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has officially confirmed for the first time that the Swedish ASC 890 long-range airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft is already carrying out combat sorties. As the defense ministry clarified, the aircraft has been on combat duty for the past six months — since March 2026. According to RBC-Ukraine, this statement became the first public confirmation from Kyiv that the Swedish aircraft has not simply been transferred, but has in fact been integrated into the combat loop of the Defense Forces.

### What is the ASC 890 and why is this a historic step

The aircraft is known by several names: ASC 890, Saab 340 AEW&C, or S-100B Argus. Sweden announced its decision to transfer it to Ukraine back in May 2024, and since then it has been regarded as a truly historic move. In the words of Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, it is precisely the ASC 890 that opens up new capabilities for the Defense Forces in countering air and maritime targets, and that, in combination with F-16 fighters, significantly strengthens the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian air force.

### Technical capabilities: a radar that "sees" at 250 km

The aircraft's key feature is its ability to detect air targets at a considerable distance. As aviation expert Valeriy Romanenko explained, it is no problem for the ASC 890 to detect an enemy aircraft at a range of 200–250 km or a missile at 150–200 km. This makes it possible to build a picture of the air situation in advance, something that could not be achieved from ground-based positions.

### Building a full-fledged air defense system after decades without AEW&C

Romanenko emphasized that after the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine did not receive any airborne early warning aircraft, and for several decades the air situation was monitored only with the help of ground-based radars. According to him, receiving the ASC 890 finally made it possible to form a full-fledged air defense system. Thus, the Swedish AWACS aircraft became not just a new piece of equipment, but an element that closes a years-long structural gap in the country's defense.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Swedish ASC 890 already in the Ukrainian sky: what makes it special and how it complements the F-16](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/shvedskiy-asc-890-vzhe-ukrayinskomu-nebi-1788684081.html) - Основной источник: подтверждение МО Украины, заявление П. Йонсона, комментарий эксперта В. Романенко, дальности обнаружения.
- [Swedish radar aircraft ASC 890 already carrying out combat missions in Ukraine, – Defense Ministry](https://www.unian.net/weapons/samolet-asc-890-minoborony-podtverdilo-boevye-vylety-shvedskogo-samoleta-radara-v-ukraine-13491252.html) - Независимое подтверждение факта выполнения боевых задач по заявлению МО.
- [The foundation of air combat: Swedish AWACS aircraft begins combat duty over Ukraine](https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/766855-shvedskie-samolety-drlv-asc-890-nachali-boevye-vylety-nad-ukrainoy) - Подтверждение начала боевого дежурства ASC 890 над Украиной.
- [Swedish ASC 890 AWACS aircraft begin combat duty in Ukraine: Defense Ministry explains ...](https://war.obozrevatel.com/shvedskie-samoletyi-drlv-asc-890-pristupili-k-boevomu-dezhurstvu-v-ukraine-v-minoboronyi-rasskazali-podrobnosti.htm) - Подробности из Минобороны о боевом дежурстве ДРЛВ.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: When did the Swedish ASC 890 begin combat sorties over Ukraine?
**A:** According to Ukraine's Defense Ministry, the aircraft has been carrying out combat sorties for the past six months — since March 2026.

### Q: What makes the ASC 890 unique for Ukraine's air defense?
**A:** It is the first airborne early warning aircraft in Ukrainian service since the collapse of the USSR. It can detect aircraft at 200–250 km and missiles at 150–200 km, which made it possible to form a full-fledged air defense system.

### Q: How is the ASC 890 linked to F-16 fighters?
**A:** In the words of Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, in combination with F-16s the aircraft significantly strengthens the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian air force, expanding the options for countering air and maritime targets.