Aircraft from partners are not enough, MiG-29 needs to be modernized - aviator Khazan

Hennadiy Khazan, President of the Ukrainian Aviation Association of Pilots and Aircraft Owners (AOPA Ukraine), told Espreso TV channel.

"We can't fully cover ourselves with the cutting-edge aircraft provided by our partners, but we've also not used our own capabilities for the past two years. This includes the weapons we currently have. We possess a certain number of MiG-29 aircraft that we should have modernized. The president has given instructions to upgrade the MiG-29s to a significantly advanced Block 70/72 level, which would surpass the F-16s we've received. However, the Ministry of Defense is stalling the process, even though we are already in the final stages," he said.

Upgrading Ukrainian weapons, particularly the MiG-29s, would give Ukraine the ability to use its own aircraft and carry out strikes as decided by the military command, Khazan noted.

"Until now, we rely on the aircraft provided by our partners. They have given us a certain number of fighters to replenish the losses we’ve sustained since 2022. However, we could have expanded our capabilities and had many upgraded aircraft. This program could have been completed in two years. Then, the aircraft provided by our partners would be the 'cherry on top,' allowing us to do even more. Unfortunately, it seems that some individuals may not have heard the president's instructions or those of others. Perhaps they need a reminder," he added.

• On July 21, Poland's former Minister of National Defense Janusz Onyszkiewicz said that Polish MiG-29 aircraft could appear in Ukraine in about six months.