Ukraine is on the brink of securing modern fighter jets from international partners, including Mirage, Gripen, and Eurofighter aircraft. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed this during a national telethon, indicating that talks are advancing, and commitments have already been made by several countries.
“We have commitments from our partners for the F-16 fighters, and there are ongoing consultations for Mirage, Gripen, and Eurofighter jets. This is an excellent lineup of platforms,” Umerov stated.
He expressed optimism that results would soon follow, with formal announcements expected regarding the delivery timeline. “We hope to soon share when the transfer of these aircraft will begin,” he added.
Boosting Air Defense and Gaining Air Superiority
In addition to acquiring fighter jets, Ukraine is also focused on strengthening its air defense capabilities. The government has submitted its defense requirements to partners, emphasizing the urgent need to modernize Ukraine’s air defense systems to counter continuous Russian aerial assaults. “We’ve explained to our partners how crucial this issue is, and we are working on ensuring the timely delivery of upgraded air defense systems,” Umerov emphasized.
Russia is currently deploying around 300 aircraft and 300 helicopters in its war against Ukraine. In response, Ukraine is negotiating with its partners to secure enough fighter brigades to challenge Russian dominance in the skies.
Ukraine is actively building the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the incoming fighter jets and has been prioritizing pilot training. The focus for 2024 is on significantly increasing the number of combat-ready jets to establish air superiority over Russian forces.
