Russia Plans A-50U ‘Flying Radar’ Upgrade Based on Ukraine Experience

Russia is planning to upgrade A-50U airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft following the results of their deployment to Ukraine.

"A-50U aircraft are actively employed for accomplishing missions in the special operation. Following the results of the use of these aircraft platforms, the Defense Ministry has placed an order for their further upgrade," a source in the domestic defense industry told government-owned TASS on Friday.

A-50U is designed to detect, track and identify aerial, large ground and naval targets, transmit relevant data to command posts, direct fighter jets to aerial targets and frontline aviation aircraft to ground and sea targets.

Vega Group CEO Vyacheslav Mikheyev said in 2021 that seven A-50U aircraft had been delivered to Russian troops.