Ukraine should already look for a replacement for Saab 340 AEW aircraft, which can serve until 2030 – Defense Express
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine should start searching for a replacement for Saab 340 AEW aircraft, which can serve until 2030. Poland is already negotiating the purchase of successors.
Ukraine should already start looking for a replacement for the Saab 340 AEW long-range radar detection aircraft, as they may remain in service until approximately 2030. This was reported by Defense Express, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication, similar aircraft are operated by Poland, which purchased used Saab 340 AEWs after their service in Sweden and the UAE. The operational commander of the Polish Air Force, Ireneusz Nowak, stated that these aircraft are planned to be used until 2030, so Warsaw is already negotiating the purchase of their successors.
As Defense Express notes, the Saab 340 AEWs designated for Ukraine were manufactured in 1996, while the Polish ones were manufactured in 1997–1998. Therefore, the issue of their future replacement is even more pressing for Kyiv. At the same time, there is still no official confirmation of these aircraft joining the Ukrainian Air Force.
Among the possible successors to the Polish Saab 340 AEWs, the publication names the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye from Northrop Grumman, the E-7 Wedgetail from Boeing, and the GlobalEye from Saab.
According to Defense Express, the GlobalEye is one of the most promising options for Ukraine due to a simpler transition from the Saab 340 AEW, as well as compatibility with Swedish Gripen and French Rafale fighters. The publication also notes that the GlobalEye has been selected by the European segment of NATO as a replacement for the American E-3 Sentry aircraft.