Can Ukraine stop using Soviet equipment and what combat aircraft does it need? Air Force Commander explains

Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, posted this on Telegram.

He emphasized that the Air Force "is considering various aviation platforms to strengthen and further develop Ukraine's combat aviation."

"The top priority today is, of course, the mastering of the F-16, for which Ukrainian pilots are already being retrained. However, our experts are also exploring other opportunities to increase the combat potential of aviation in general," Oleshchuk wrote.

He explains that the Ukrainian Air Force currently has four main types of combat aircraft, which are gradually being replaced by Western equipment.

According to him, the development of each new type of aircraft provided by Ukraine's partners is "a complicated and slow process for Ukraine, but we will get through it."

"Of course, we will not be able to give up the operation of Soviet aircraft immediately. Therefore, along with F-16s, MiG-29s will continue to operate in the sky, and it is 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," Oleshchuk explained