Sweden’s ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft has been used in combat operations over Ukraine since March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported this.

“An important component of developing Ukraine’s aviation capabilities was Sweden’s decision to provide Ukraine with the ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft. The transfer was announced in May 2024, confirmed in August 2025, and the first combat missions of the ASC 890 over Ukraine were recorded as early as March 2026,” the Ministry of Defence noted.

The Swedish aircraft can detect airborne targets at significant distances, coordinate the actions of combat aircraft, and increase the effectiveness of fighter operations.

“When combined with F-16s, Mirage 2000s and Gripens, it forms the foundation of a modern network-centric air combat system based on NATO standards,” the Defence Ministry’s report says.

It should be noted that Ukraine recently reached an agreement with Sweden to purchase 16 Gripen E fighter jets, while the Air Force is expected to receive its first Gripen C/D aircraft as early as the beginning of 2027.

As ArmyInform reported, important talks of the aviation coalition were held in Kyiv. One of the key issues discussed at the meeting was the creation of the Air Forces Capabilities Coalition Fund.

The mechanism is expected to enable more effective coordination of partners’ joint efforts, attract additional funding and accelerate the implementation of priority aviation projects.