Poland receives first Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft

The first Saab 340 Erieye AEW&C aircraft for Poland was delivered on 6 March. (Polish Ministry of National Defense)

Poland has received the first of two Saab 340 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft contracted in 2023.

Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Paweł Bejda made the announcement on 6 March, saying in-country acceptance testing will take place before the aircraft is handed over to the Polish Armed Forces.

The milestone came about five months after the first aircraft was officially presented to then Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak at an event at Saab’s Linkoping facility in southern Sweden on 29 September 2023.

The Polish Armament Agency signed a contract in late July 2023 for the two aircraft it will use to protect Polish airspace and to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Although given Polish Air Force markings, the aircraft will be controlled by the Polish Navy with crew drawn from both services.