Espreso. Global

Ukraine will have variety of fighter jets: F-16 Falcon will operate alongside Gripen. Is it huge problem?

21 August, 2023 Monday
19:12

The F-16 should be the main new fighter for Ukraine, but it will not be the only aircraft of its class in the Air Force, as another type of aircraft that will be in service is the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen

client/title.list_title

The spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, said during the telethon that Sweden is joining the process of replenishing Ukrainian combat aircraft. He noted that the Gripen "will not be in service much", and that the F-16 will be the main type of aircraft and will gradually replace old Soviet equipment.

It is worth reminding that recently it was reported that Ukrainian pilots have already started "introductory training" on these aircraft. However, there are no more specifics yet, neither in terms of timing nor in terms of the number of these aircraft that could boost the Ukrainian Air Forces.

Thus, Ukraine will still have a variety of fighters. It should be understood that it consists not only of two types of Western fighters, but also of the fact that no one, at least until the Victory, will write off Soviet aircraft.

And in general, we must remember that arms unification is an exclusive luxury of peacetime, with the certainty that it will last for a very long time. Because many countries, when it comes to rearmament, go this way, and Poland is a great example of this decision.

In particular, the country, having 48 F-16 fighters, kept in service not only MiG-29, but even Su-22, which will be in service until 2024.

And the decision to withdraw these outdated Soviet machines is directly tied to the acquisition of another type of machine - the fifth generation F-35 fighter jets. And in addition to American combat aircraft, Warsaw has also ordered Korean FA-50s, which are supposed to replace Soviet MiG-29s.

That is, the Polish Air Force will have three types of fighters in service at the same time - F-35, F-16 and FA-50 - even after the Soviet aircraft are retired. And this is a completely logical and pragmatic decision, given the F-35 delivery timeframe, which stretches for almost ten years from the date of order with a price that has soared 1.5 times after 2022.

It is even possible to cite the example of Korea, where the F-35A, F-15K, F-16, FA-50, F-5 and the still legendary F-4 Phantom II are in service at the same time.

After all, the Air Force Vision of 2020 remains relevant for Ukraine, at least in part, according to which the operation of Soviet aircraft was to end in 2035. That is, even then, it was assumed that the Ukrainian Air Force would operate different types of fighters in parallel for a certain period of time. Not to mention the fact that as of 2021, the combat aircraft fleet consisted of four separate types - Su-27, MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-25.

That is, the situation with various aircraft in the Ukrainian air force, although not the best solution, is absolutely commonplace and has not raised any questions throughout.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
7 October
17:14
Ukraine integrates NATO gender equality standards into Armed Forces
16:55
Ukraine’s 3rd Brigade retakes positions in Kharkiv region, frees captive Ukrainian soldiers
16:36
Russian losses in Ukraine war reach record levels in September — UK intelligence
16:16
Fico says Slovakia is “cool” towards Ukraine's NATO membership
15:54
Ukrainian hackers attack Kremlin's state TV broadcasters
15:30
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine with guided bombs, explosions leave 20 injured, including 2 children
15:16
Russia charges 14 foreign journalists for illegal border crossings
14:55
Exclusive
Can F-16s counter Russian guided bomb launches: aviation expert explains
14:35
Infographics
Bomb to long-range weapon: what are AGM-154 JSOWs and why they are important for Ukraine
13:57
Ukraine stuck in limbo as results of Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit remain unclear
13:35
Russia seeks to foster acceptance of Putin among Italians
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine's population totals 35.8 million as of July 2024 — government
12:58
Exclusive
Only destroyed cars and houses left: volunteer on evacuation from Kurakhove sector
12:39
Exclusive
Russia's next move: Focus on Kurakhove – military expert Zgurets
12:18
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine with UAVs and missiles: Kinzhal missile fragments fall in Kyiv
11:48
SU30Leaks saga continues: Thales responds openly, Safran dodges specific questions
11:17
OPINION
The West - Russia: wishful thinking
10:59
Google bans African Stream media over possible Russian ties
10:15
Russian intelligence recruited Irish MP as propaganda agent
09:56
Russia loses 14 tanks, 64 artillery systems and 1,160 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine
09:40
Ukrainian Defense Forces strike oil terminal in Russian-occupied Feodosia
2024, Sunday
6 October
22:15
Interview
Russian elite still has a choice, but Putin does not - Feygin
21:46
Poland's army chief says country needs to boost its army
21:19
Russia drops three guided bombs on Kostiantynivka, killing one and injuring several
20:55
Taiwan weighs abandoning submarine fleet in favor of Ukraine's drone strategy
20:21
NATO lacks 49 brigades, needs force four times Germany's army to meet minimum standards
19:56
Russian soldiers shoot three Ukrainian prisoners of war at close range in New York village
19:38
Russian attack on Kramatorsk outskirts injures at least 4 people, including child
19:20
2017 meeting with Putin helps explain roots of Trump’s attitude to Ukraine - media
18:57
Exclusive
Month after Russia's missile attack: what houses on Konovalets Street, Lviv look like. Photo report
18:23
Trump's suspicion that Zelenskyy backs the Democrats resurfaces in the presidential campaign
17:56
Russia fires 20 missiles, 800+ guided bombs, up to 400 drones at Ukraine in one week
17:23
Artifacts Russian forces stole from Ukraine surface on the international black market
16:58
OPINION
Russia's shadow fleet: today's sanctions fall short
16:25
Zelenskyy, Syrskyi congratulate military on Ukraine's Territorial Defense Day
15:55
Russian opposition activist Dadin is killed fighting for Ukraine – reports
15:27
OPINION
Moldova's choice: will Russia's Trojan horses win?
14:59
Exclusive
“West knows how to count money": Expert explains why Russia might keep occupied Ukrainian territories
14:38
OPINION
Losing Vuhledar: Causes and consequences
13:59
Lithuanian customs find military goods on Kaliningrad-Moscow passenger trains
More news