Air defense groups as part of volunteer formations of territorial communities (VFTG) are becoming a new element in the defense of the Ukrainian skies.
Pilots of such groups will undergo training according to the programs of the Ukrainian Air Force and will receive remuneration at the same level as participants in combat operations – 100 thousand UAH.
This was reported by Sergey Yakubenko, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of State Aviation of Ukraine.
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Who can join DFTG groups?
According to Yakubenko, the medical groups may include two categories of aviation personnel.
Units that will work with attack drones will recruit individuals who have been removed from military registration or who are not subject to conscription.
Groups that will use manned aircraft may include specialists who have the appropriate medical clearance and professional training in piloting and servicing aircraft.
Light aircraft and drone pilots deployed to combat Shaheds will not be subject to mobilization reservations. At the same time, despite their civilian status, they will receive remuneration as military personnel.
— Participation in combat duty in the air defense system, according to the combat order of the Air Force command, allows pilots to receive a payment of 100 thousand hryvnia, proportional to the number of duty per month, — notes Yakubenko.
Who will control the work of air defense groups?
The Air Force is solely responsible for the air defense of Ukraine. All decisions on the use of its elements are made by the Air Force Commander.
Light aircraft and interceptor drones are integrated into the air defense system, and interaction between all its components is organized by the command.
Direct coordination is carried out by the head of the DFTG group or the head of the air defense group.
— Without clearly organized interaction, access to combat duty is impossible. First, training is organized, and only after that does the replacement for duty occur, — adds Yakubenko.
How will the DFTG crews be trained?
Training is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Air Force: criteria for the type of aircraft and qualification requirements for personnel are established.
On this basis, training, additional training and advanced training programs are developed.
Upon completion of the training, the head of the air defense group of the DFTG issues an order on admission to duty. The data is transmitted to the Air Force, which checks the readiness of the crew. In case of a positive assessment, a combat order is issued.
Preparing to destroy air targets
The ability to pilot does not guarantee knowledge of the tactics of destroying air targets. Therefore, priority in recruiting is given to pilots from the military reserve – navigators, control officers and other specialists with combat experience in air defense. It is much easier for them to adapt to new tasks.
A civilian pilot would need significantly more time to do this.
The re-equipment of civil aircraft is also envisaged. According to the resolution, aircraft planned to be used for air defense are registered as experimental. The relevant information is submitted to the Ministry of Defense.
After registration, such aircraft are entered into a temporary register. They are allowed to install weapons, communication, surveillance and target detection equipment. Equipment testing is carried out during training or combat flights.
Are people interested in participating in the DFTG?
“People are contacting us, and the interest is quite high,” says Yakubenko. “We are talking about both manned and unmanned vehicles – FPV drones, interceptor drones.”
There are even initiatives to test laser weapons from the boards of such vessels. This can be implemented in a very short time. The processes are gaining speed, and the prospects are really good.
The DFTG groups should not be a replacement, but a supplement to the mobile fire groups. We are talking about drones of the 2nd and 3rd class, manned vehicles with a different level of combat characteristics.
