On strengthening Ukrainian aviation: Any aid necessary, F-16 remains priority
Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine does not rule out any assistance from its partners regarding multipurpose aircraft, attack aircraft, and helicopters. At the same time, deliveries of F-16s are currently a priority, stated Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to Oleshchuk, the Air Force is considering various aircraft platforms that will help strengthen Ukraine's combat aviation. Today, the priority is to adopt the F-16, for which Ukrainian pilots are already being retrained. At the same time, experts are exploring other opportunities to increase the combat potential of aviation.
"I am in constant contact with the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the heads of the troop groups every day, and we are doing everything to ensure the maximum possible coverage of troops from enemy air attacks in various directions," the Air Force Commander added.
The Air Force currently has four main types of combat aircraft in service. They will be gradually replaced by Western equipment. Ukraine does not rule out any assistance from partners in terms of multi-purpose aircraft, attack aircraft, and helicopters. However, the implementation of new types of aircraft is a complex and slow process.
Gradual abandonment of Soviet aircraft
As Oleshchuk explained, it would not be possible to abandon the use of Soviet aircraft immediately. Therefore, along with the F-16, MiG-29s will continue to operate in the sky. It is also possible that the combat capabilities of Su-24M bombers will be enhanced by Mirage-2000D and those of Su-25 attack aircraft by A-10 Thunderbolt II.
"Recently, we have discussed with Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi promising areas for further work in the development and strengthening of the aviation component of the Air Force and Army Aviation of the Land Forces. And we are doing everything to ensure that our troops are covered from the air and that the enemy feels the powerful fist of strike aircraft," added the Air Force Commander.
F-16 for Ukraine
Recently, it has been officially announced that the first group of Ukrainian pilots has completed the basic training program in the UK and started training on F-16 fighters in Denmark.
On December 22, 2023, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Dutch government had decided to prepare the first 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine.
It also became known that Ukraine is preparing airfield infrastructure to receive Western fighters.
