Russia is likely the first to use the A-50 (NATO reporting name: Mainstay D) early warning and control aircraft.
This information is available to the British Ministry of Defense intelligence.
What missions can the A-50 perform?
British defense officials believe the aircraft is helping the Russian military identify targets over Ukraine for its ground-based SA-21 long-range air defense missile system.
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This complements the A-50's primary mission of warfighter coordination.
Compared to the conventional ground-based SA-21 radar, the A-50 can use its radar to detect enemy aircraft at greater distances because the altitude allows it to detect objects beyond the curvature of the earth.
Why did the Russian Federation start using A-50 aircraft?
British intelligence officials suggest that Russia may have accelerated the integration of the A-50 aircraft and SA-21 systems in part due to concerns about the prospect of Ukraine deploying Western-provided combat aircraft.
Moreover, the British Ministry of Defense intelligence considers it realistic that Russia will take greater risks.
For example, the British defense department does not rule out that the A-50 could fly closer to the front line in order to effectively fulfill its new role.
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