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The next meeting in the Ramstein format may give a green light to the issue of transferring Western-style aviation to Ukraine. The Ukrainian side is very carefully considering possible options for aircraft that it can receive as soon as possible.
This Channel 24said the speaker of the command of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Yuriy Ignat. According to him, now there are 40 enemy airfields located in Belarus, Russia and even in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, for example, in Crimea.
Why Ukraine needs aviation
Yuriy Ignat emphasized that Ukraine really needs aviation.
“It is clear that we need Western-type aircraft, fighters, because our fleet is morally and physically obsolete,” he explained.
According to him, if we talk about approximately 200 aircraft that Ukraine would like to receive from the West, then from the point of view of the prospects and the number of aircraft that the country already has, this is not so big digit.
We now have 11 aviation brigades: 5 tactical aviation brigades, one assault, one bomber, three transport and training. Another thing is whether there is equipment there that should be in full force? he remarked.
According to Yuriy Ignat, the Ukrainian fleet of aircraft will need to be replaced.
“This was a long-term perspective even before the invasion Russia,” he noted.
The speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that it was said that by 2035 they would switch to the latest weapons. In particular, Western aircraft were considered.
In Ukraine, there are two types of MiG-29 and SU-27 fighters, the SU-25 attack aircraft, and the SU-24M bomber.
“I do not take into account that there is a modification of the MP, the Bayraktar TB2 is the same, there are other UAVs, transport aircraft An-24, An-26, Il-76,” he focused his attention.
< p dir="ltr">A bomber, attack aircraft and fighter can really replace a Western-style multi-purpose aircraft.
Yuriy Ignat told what kind of planes Ukraine needs and how quickly they will be taken over by the Armed Forces of Ukraine: watch the video
What kind of Western planes does Ukraine need
Yury Ignat said that the Ukrainian military needs multipurpose planes.
“In fact, this should be the only type of aircraft for all tactical aviation brigades capable of working on all targets: both ground and air,” he focused.
According to him, the fighter F-16 is the most promising among all types. In particular, the choice was made on this particular aircraft, because a study was conducted with partners: what type of aircraft is best for Ukraine, whether it is available and which one can be put into service with the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the fastest. Options include Swedish Gripen, French Dassault Rafale.
The biggest contender is the F-16. This aircraft can be equipped with a wide range of weapons from NATO countries – this is a high-precision weapon, which can also be long-range. – he said.
In his opinion, Ukraine expects positive signals from the next meeting in the Ramstein format.
“Such signals already exist “, he stressed.
The Ukrainian leadership also speaks about this.
When Ukraine can get F-16
Yuri Ignat said that Western partners would not immediately give us the number of aircraft that we would like.
The start will be with two squadrons, probably there will be an F-16,” he said.
However, he stressed that no statement that it would really be two squadrons has yet been officially announced.
In addition, according to the speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there are three key positions that Ukrainians should understand.
“Pilot training is at least half a year, taking into account our motivation, need, experience,” he said. Engineers need to master absolutely all the equipment.
Here, too, it takes time, because the sky does not forgive mistakes. Aircraft maintenance is a very serious thing, he explained.
Equally important is the preparation of the infrastructure. We are talking about laying runways with a length of two and a half kilometers in sufficient quantity.
“Definite steps are already being taken here in the state, there is already cooperation between the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Infrastructure and other departments” , – said Yuriy Ignat.
Ukraine will be able to do this with certain capacities.
Providing Western aviation: basic
- The US Department of Defense is discussing the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Politico writes, citing its own sources.
- Senior officials note that Ukraine has not yet officially asked for the F-16. Washington and Kyiv see artillery, armored vehicles and ground-based air defense systems as more pressing needs.
- Recall that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke out against providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets. According to him, decisions on military assistance to Ukraine are made in such a way as to prevent a direct clash between Russia and NATO. He concluded by adding that he “will not allow such an escalation.”
- Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov traveled to Paris to speak with President Emmanuel Macron. They will discuss the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The day before, the head of state noted that “by definition, nothing is excluded” in this matter.
