It appears the Ukrainian air defenses are getting significantly better with a combination of the latest Western air defense weapons and surveillance technology!
I tend to believe that a Saab 340 AEW&C plane was involved in this latest success even though the article below claims it is speculative. It probably does not hurt to keep Putin the Terrible in the dark about the new capabilities of the Ukrainian air defenses.
Wikipedia about the radar capabilities of the Saab 340 AEW&C: "Compared to the traditional circular radar on AWACS planes, such as the E-3 Sentry, the Saab 340 has a non-movable PS-890 AESA radar made with the Erieye system. It offers lower drag, but has a dead zone directly behind and in front of the plane, with a 120 degree zone of scan on either side of the airframe.[3] The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes and missiles up to 190-250 mi (300-400 km), while at an altitude of 20,000 ft (6,100 m)."
"... There has been some unconfirmed speculation that Ukraine’s new Swedish-built Saab 340 AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) platform assisted with the kill, either by vectoring the F-16 to a point within the F-16 tracking range or by providing data link to the missile itself for midcourse guidance.
This ability would only be available if the F-16 were equipped with Link-16, which they were allegedly not provided, or with another compatible data link system in unannounced upgrades to the former-Dutch F-16AM. ..."
Saab 340 AEW&C plane
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