One of two Polish Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft acquired from Sweden. The first crews have now graduated, ahead of IOC being declared for the type in September. (Polish MND)
The first Polish crews to be trained on the Saab 340 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft have graduated, ahead of the type being declared ready for operations.
Polish Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Paweł Bejda announced the milestone on 6 August, adding that initial operating capability (IOC) will follow in the coming weeks.
“The first crews of Saab 340 AEW aircraft have completed training. In terms of reconnaissance capabilities, we are reaching a level we did not have access to before. Two early warning and [control] aircraft purchased from Sweden will achieve initial operational capability in September,” Bejda said.
Poland contracted the two Saab 340 Erieye AEW&C aircraft in July 2023, with the first being officially presented to then Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak in September 2023 ahead of arriving in Poland in March. The second of the two aircraft acquired was delivered from Sweden in early June.
Given Polish Air Force and Polish Navy markings, the aircraft will be operated by the Naval Aviation Brigade with crews drawn from both services.
The two Saab 340 Erieye AEW&C aircraft will be used to protect Polish airspace and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
For more information on the Saab 340 Erieye, please seeErieye series airborne early warning and control radar .
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