Gdynia 2025-09-10
SAAB 340 AEW early warning aircraft.
On August 6, 2024, at the Gdynia Babie Doły Naval Brigade Airfield, a ceremony was held to award initial training certificates to the first two crews of Polish SAAB 340 AEW aircraft. Representatives of the manufacturer and the Swedish government attended the ceremony. In recent years, Poland has purchased RBS-15 Mk 3 anti-ship missiles, two Delfin electronic reconnaissance vessels, Carl-Gustaf M4 grenade launchers, and two SAAB 340 AEW aircraft from Sweden. On July 25, 2023, a contract was signed for the acquisition of two used SAAB 340 AEW aircraft previously in service with the Swedish Air Force. The contract value was €52 million.
Work on the aircraft’s design began in 1981. A Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner from the USA was selected as the demonstrator base. Development of the radar was entrusted to Ericsson Microwave Systems. In 1985, a contract was signed for the construction of an S-band (NATO E/F) Doppler radar with an active electronically scanned array antenna and 192 semiconductor transceiver modules operating in the 3.1 to 3.3 GHz band. The radar antenna was housed in a 9-meter-long pod made of composite materials, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. The radar’s lateral field of view is 120 degrees. The antenna excludes narrow areas at the front and rear, a compromise. The initial range was specified at 300 km. The aircraft’s fuselage was reinforced with additional frames, and a thermal bulkhead was installed midway along its length to protect the crew from the high temperatures generated by the on-board electronics. A 60 kVA auxiliary power unit (APU) was installed beneath the fuselage. Successful trials led to the Swedish Air Force ordering six SAAB 340B aircraft in 1993.
The first aircraft of this type flew on January 17, 1994. Sweden produced six SAAB 340 AEW aircraft. Two aircraft, Nb 100002 and 100007, were sold to Thailand. Two aircraft, Nb 100005 and 100006, were leased by the United Arab Emirates. The remaining two, Nb 100003 and 100004, continued to serve in the Swedish Air Force. However, on February 24, 2022, Comrade Putin invaded Ukraine, and changes were made. Sweden sold two SAAB 340 AEW aircraft to Poland and transferred two SAAB 340 AEW aircraft to Ukraine. For Poland, these aircraft were from the United Arab Emirates, whose lease had expired. The country ordered five new SAAB GlobalEye aircraft. To replace the aircraft in Sweden, the country will introduce new SAAB GlobalEye aircraft, based on Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft.
The Swedish aircraft were Nb 003 and Nb 004. They were operated by the 74th Special Air Squadron at the Malmö base in Linköping. On May 29, 2024, it was announced that, by decision of the Swedish government and parliament, they would be transferred to Ukraine as a gift. However, the transfer of these aircraft to Ukraine began to drag on. However, in December 2020, two aircraft were returned to Sweden from the United Arab Emirates. They had the tactical numbers 1331 and 1332.
In 2023, Sweden proposed selling these aircraft to Poland. The proposal was accepted. On March 6, 2024, the first aircraft, Nb 100006, arrived in Gdynia. In Poland, the aircraft received the Nb 3402 and Polish markings. The aircraft was accepted into the brigade on March 26, 2024. The aircraft made its first flight on May 14, 1997.
On June 10, 2024, the second aircraft, Nb 100005, arrived in Gdynia. The aircraft had Swedish markings and Nb 005. The aircraft received Polish markings and Nb 3401. It was accepted into the brigade on July 3, 2024. The aircraft first flew on April 17, 1998. The first aircraft entered service with the Gdynia Aviation Brigade in March 2024.
SAAB 340 AEW specifications: Length 20.57 m, Wingspan 21.44 m, Height 6.97 m, Wing area 42 m², Empty weight 10,300 kg, Takeoff weight 13,155 kg, Service ceiling 7,620 m, Flight time over 5 hours. Powered by two General Electric CT7-9B turboprop engines, each with 2 x 1,390 kW (2 x 1,870 hp).
The exact specifications of the Polish SAAB 340 AEWs have not been released. Nor has it been revealed what was replaced on the aircraft after the aircraft were returned by the United Arab Emirates.
The aircraft feature Polish Chessboards, tactical numbers, and a black anchor, which is a symbol of their affiliation with the Naval Aviation Brigade. The aircraft are painted white.
Although Poland purchased used aircraft, their operation provides the Polish Army with entirely new capabilities. They perform missions near the borders with Moscow and Belarus. The information obtained is shared with the Polish Army and NATO forces. The new SAAB 340 AEW aircraft have significantly enhanced Poland’s reconnaissance capabilities. The aircraft’s crew consists of six pilots. The aircraft can track 1,000 maritime objects and 500 airborne objects thanks to its specialized radar. Intensive training for the flight crew was conducted in Sweden and Poland. The technicians responsible for the aircraft’s smooth operation also underwent training in Sweden. The training was conducted in two specialties: airframe and engine, and avionics and radar. The entire course lasted three months. Since January 2025, Polish soldiers have independently performed all tasks related to the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. Pre-flight maintenance takes approximately 30 minutes.
Currently (2025), the Siemirowice base also operates: one M-28B1RM Bryza bis patrol and reconnaissance aircraft; seven M-28B-1R Bryza patrol and reconnaissance aircraft; and two An-28E Bryza (Ecolog) ecological surveillance aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with various types of radars and communications equipment. These aircraft are complemented by NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft, which frequently fly over Poland due to the war in Ukraine.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman