While awaiting the conclusions of an investigation into telecommunications cable breaks in the Baltic Sea, Sweden has announced the deployment of a surveillance fleet. This will be made up of three warships as well as a somewhat unusual aircraft: the ASC890.
A little reminder of the facts
On November 17 and 18, 2024, as well as December 25 of the same year, the Finnish and Swedish armed forces reported worrying telecommunications cable breaks in the Baltic Sea. Suspecting actions carried out on behalf of Russia, still at war against Ukraine, the investigation continues.
And as the main suspect for these repeated ruptures, the trail led to an oil tanker: the Eagle S. Seized on December 28, 2024 by the Finnish authorities, the ship was found without its anchor, the possible murder weapon in this story. It was finally found at the bottom of the sea on January 7 according to information from Marine.
If the Eagle S is not a military ship, investigators are looking into the question of whether it could be part of a Russian ghost fleet which would therefore lead to the involvement of civilians in military acts.
ASC890, a surveillance aircraft with a particular design
To maintain control of the Baltic Sea and keep an eye on the infrastructure installed there, Sweden will therefore call on three warships as well as a surveillance aircraft: the ASC890.
Commissioned in 1997, this plane does not necessarily look great on a tarmac. 20 meters long and with a wingspan of 21.44 meters, it does not necessarily impress with its dimensions. However, if he does not play the big arm, he can count on a whole range of strategic equipment allowing him to be a leader in the field of surveillance.
In addition to having a particular design, giving it the impression that it carries with it a sort of beam, the ASC890 is an aircraft equipped with a radar with a range of between 300 and 400 kilometers. Enough to easily spot and from quite a distance, any potential threat towards which the deployed warships can move and/or intervene. It can also, and quite easily, spot cruise missiles, but also really small targets like that of a jetski.
And this, at an altitude of more than 7500 meters.
In war zones, it can also serve as a communications relay for troops on the ground or at sea.
Sweden, a country that “is neither at war nor at peace”
The decision to send military troops as well as a particularly effective reconnaissance aircraft to the Baltic Sea is an important decision. Indeed, this follows in particular a request from NATO which asked the countries affected by the acts of sabotage to do what is necessary so that underwater infrastructures are not unduly threatened.
This does not mark Sweden's entry into a potential conflict since the Swedish Prime Minister has affirmed that the country is not at war. However, following recent actions, he still made it clear that his country was not at peace either.
In order to avoid escalation and possible Russian intrusions in the area, the deployment of military forces in the area and a surveillance plane will perhaps help to raise doubts about the possible members of the Russian ghost fleet.
Source : The Sailor / The Guardian
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