If the partners do agree on the provision of fighter jets to Ukraine, this will involve a number of measures, in particular pilot training and ground training infrastructure. In addition, the first batch of aircraft is unlikely to be large.
Moreover, the preparation of ground infrastructure is closely related to the deployment of Patriot air defense systems and their achievement of operational readiness. Oleg Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, told Channel 24 about this.
How many fighters Ukraine can get
The military expert explained that as soon as the conditional F-16s land on any Ukrainian airfield, most likely, in a few days, Russia will try to attack it with Iskander operational-tactical systems. In addition, it can be a large number of missiles, since it is very important for the invaders to destroy all aircraft.
At the same time, without the full operation of the Patriot air defense system and a trained crew, it will be impossible to repel such an attack.
< p class="bloquote cke-markup">There is training, preparation of ground infrastructure, deployment of Patriot, and then we get the first batch of aircraft. I don’t think it will be huge, it will probably be 1, maximum – up to 3 squadrons, – the military expert suggested.
In his opinion, in the beginning, objectively, it will be 1 squadron – from 12 to 24 aircraft . Probably, our partners will first want to test the planes in combat conditions and see how Ukraine will use them.
When the first planes arrive
After the allies verify the use of fighters by Ukrainian pilots, the process of handing over the next aircraft will follow. Katkov noted thataccording to the pragmatic scenario,the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive aircraft in the middle – end of the summer of 2023.
At the same time, he noted thataccording to the optimistic scenario > -not the fact that the Ukrainian military is no longer completing their studies. Therefore, after the announcement of the provision of fighters, it will only be necessary to transfer it.
Katkov suggested when and how many fighters Ukraine will receive: watch the video
“There was information that the pilots were already in the United States and the type of aircraft was being determined. This is optimistic, but one can hope that the preparations were carried out in advance. In addition, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that the Ukrainian military is mastering a lot before a positive political decision is made, to save time,” the military expert added.
He concluded that the optimistic scenario, according to which the fighters will arrive in Ukraine earlier, is quite probable. However, according to Katkov, they are still closely connected with the deployment of Patriot air defense systems on the territory of our state.
Ukraine may receive F-16: what is known
- A serious debate is underway around the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Some of the allied states strongly support this. But there are those who are afraid of such a decision. Like, this will cause an escalation.
- The US Department of Defense is discussing the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. They note that the final decision has not yet been made.
- The Air Force believes that the F-16 multipurpose aircraft could become the basis for our aviation. Actually, he would protect the Ukrainian sky from Russian cruise missiles and fighters. However, in addition to the F-16, there were other contenders for this role.
- In particular, they talked about the F-15, F-16, F-18 fighters and even the French Dassault Rafale fighter. All these aircraft could become the basis for the aviation of the Air Force.
