Polish AEW&C Aircraft Conducts First Patrol Mission Near Kaliningrad

The Polish Saab 340 AEW&C airborne early warning and control aircraft has made its first patrol mission near the border with Kaliningrad.

This is reported by the monitoring resource Flightradar24.

This flight was the first patrol flight of the aircraft as part of the creation of round-the-clock radar coverage of the border areas of Poland.

The aircraft patrolled the border with Kaliningrad, where Russia has its own missile units and electronic warfare systems.

In addition to radar detection, the Saab 340 AEW&C can also function as a reconnaissance aircraft, significantly expanding its capabilities and a range of objects it can detect.

The reconnaissance complex is equipped with a modern Erieye ER S-band radar with an active antenna with electronic scanning. It was developed using a modern element base based on gallium nitride (GaN) from Saab.

The Erieye ER (Erieye Extended Range Radar) is characterized as resistant to radio interference, it increases the detection range of low-observable air targets by 70% and allows detecting cruise missiles.

The radar’s instrumental detection range is 450 km at an altitude of more than 20,000 meters, and the scanning area is 150 degrees on both sides of the antenna.

The aircraft that performed the patrol flight received the tail number “3401” and was handed over to the Polish Air Force.

The nose of the aircraft bears the emblem of the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade, as the aircraft will be based at the naval airfield.

In total, Poland has received two aircraft of this type, which, in addition to radar detection and reconnaissance, will significantly increase the coordination and control capabilities of the country’s air component.

Previously, Militarnyi reported that on May 30, 2024, the Swedish government announced the allocation of its largest military assistance package to Ukraine, which amounted to €1.16 billion, including Saab 340 AEW airborne surveillance aircraft.

According to Tom Samuelson, press secretary of the Prime Minister of Sweden, “the package includes two airborne surveillance and control aircraft (ACS890) that will help Ukraine identify targets at a great distance.”