The AWACS planes, equipped with a top-mounted radar system, can cover large areas, complementing Sweden’s fixed sensor network similarly to Sweden’s own ASC 890 aircraft. Although NATO-owned aircraft are regular participants in major international exercises in Sweden, such as the Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE), this marked the first time they have been integrated into daily operations, presenting new challenges. These operations occur in the same airspace as civilian passenger planes, and flights are not pre-planned, requiring careful coordination.
The 161st Air Surveillance and Control Battalion at Uppland Air Wing deployed two liaison officers aboard the AWACS aircraft to coordinate with Swedish command centres. During these operations, AWACS provided command and control to fighter jets from Blekinge Air Wing (F 17) and Skaraborg Air Wing (F 7).
“The ability to integrate AWACS into daily operations is an important step in Sweden’s NATO integration and further evidence that the lines between national and international operations are becoming increasingly blurred,” said a Swedish operator on board the AWACS mission.
