Ukraine can not relinquish the MiG-29 simply but— no less than not as swiftly because the Ukrainian navy or society would anticipate. Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Air Pressure of Ukraine, made this assertion. The Ukrainian media outlet RBC quoted him, referencing his announcement on Telegram.
As per Oleshchuk, the American F-16 fighter jets are a prime precedence for Ukraine. In gentle of current occasions, each the F-16 and the Ukrainian MiG-29 are more likely to be a part of forces towards Russian positions on the battlefield. Ukraine endeavors to dissociate from “every part Russian/Soviet” ultimately, however this transition is time-consuming and can’t occur with a mere snap of the fingers.
BulgarianMilitary.com reminds us that Ukrainian pilots are already participating in life like flight-training workout routines with the American Viper. These workout routines are being performed within the skies above Denmark, marking the second part of their coaching. The primary part for the inaugural group [comprising 14 Ukrainian pilots] was accomplished in Nice Britain, primarily specializing in language coaching.
Not too long ago, Denmark introduced a delay within the supply of its F-16s to cater to the wants of the Ukrainian Air Pressure. The Danes are contemplating the latter half or late summer time of 2024 as a doable timeframe for supply. Nonetheless, this era might additional be prolonged.
Not solely the F-16, the Mirage 2000 as properly
Oleshchuk made a uncommon remark. Since final yr, varied info sources have reported that Ukrainian pilots are present process coaching to fly the French Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Nevertheless, this info hasn’t been confirmed and has usually been denied.
Curiously, Oleshchuk said that the F-16 is a precedence for Ukraine, however different Western air platforms “are additionally welcome.” He added, “The fight capabilities of the Su-24M bombers could also be enhanced by the Mirage-2000D, and the Su-25 assault plane by the A-10 Thunderbolt II.” That is in response to RBC, who quoted Oleshchuk’s phrases.
It has been publicly said by political officers in France that Ukraine has requested the Mirage 2000, Rafale, and French radars. On November 27, the French publication Intelligence On-line [IO] reported that Paris and Kyiv have been in discussions relating to the switch of six Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
Earlier in the identical yr, the French publication Le Figaro said that “roughly 30 Ukrainian pilots are present process accelerated coaching to pilot the French Mirage 2000 fighter jets. The coaching has been going down for a couple of month and a half.” Le Figaro reported that the coaching is occurring at Mont de Marsan and Nancy air bases. Given these information, Oleshchuk’s assertion and prediction in regards to the Mirage 2000 carries vital weight.
Ukraine prepares for F-16
Returning to the F-16 subject, RBC experiences that “Ukraine is making ready the infrastructure at an unnamed airport to obtain Western warplanes.”
Russian media retailers have additionally given consideration to this improvement. For example, the Russian newspaper Vzglyad means that Ukraine will face vital challenges sustaining the F-16s on its territory. They draw this conclusion based mostly on a assertion from Air Pressure adviser Yuriy Ignat.
“Ukraine goals to comprehensively undertake Western expertise, however sustaining, particularly, the F-16 fighter jets will pose a main problem,” Yuriy Ignat, an adviser to the Air Pressure Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was reported to have stated by Vzglyad. “Ignat additional identified that whereas the infrastructure for NATO plane is normal, accommodating every sort of plane will place a further burden on its operation,” the article within the Russian newspaper concluded.
‘The F-16 is only the start’
As famous by Oleschuk, the Air Pressure is exploring a vary of aviation applied sciences to bolster Ukraine’s offensive aviation. Given prime precedence proper now’s proficiency in working the F-16, with Ukrainian pilots already underway retraining efforts. Concurrently, specialists are investigating options for reinforcing the fight effectivity of the aviation sector.
“I preserve every day communication with the commander of the Floor Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the leaders of the troop models, and we’re absolutely dedicated to ensure optimum safety for our troops from hostile air strikes in numerous instructions,” commented the Air Pressure commander.
At the moment, the Air Pressure operates 4 main varieties of preventing plane. These are set to be progressively changed by Western applied sciences. Ukraine is open to help from its allies regarding multi-purpose plane, assault planes, and helicopters. Nevertheless, studying to deal with new plane fashions proves to be a advanced and drawn-out course of.
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