Ukraine's Air Power Struggles Against Russian Aggression: The F-16 Factor and MiG Debate
Ukraine's quest for an effective air defense system against Russian aggression has hit yet another snag. With the recent deployment of F-16 fighter jets to counter Russian attacks and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praising their impact, Ukraine's plans to further bolster its fleet with potential additions of F-16s and French Mirage 2000-5s are facing challenges. One of these challenges stems from Poland, which has, for now, declined to provide additional Soviet MiG jets.
Polish defense minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, acknowledges Ukraine's need for various types of weapons but insists on prioritizing Poland's own defense capabilities. The Polish state is set to receive F-35 fighter jets from the US, with the first delivery coming this Wednesday for pilot training in the US. The first F-35s are set to arrive in Poland by 2026, around the same time a potential transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine could occur.
Ukraine could immediately utilize MiG planes, as Western support with the F-16s is slow due to lengthy personnel training. With only around 20 F-16s set to be operational this year, Ukraine claims it needs four to six times that number for effective air defense.
Although Poland has not ruled out the possibility of transferring more MiG jets to Ukraine, there are doubts over France's pledge to deliver Mirage-5 fighter jets. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June his intention to deliver these jets for pilot training in France, but little further information has been released since then.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's prolonged wait to begin F-16 operations has ended. Despite these challenges, Ukraine's aspirations to significantly expand its fighter jet fleet remain unyielding.
Additional Insights:
Poland has already handed over its retired MiG-29 fleet to Ukraine, making it one of the first countries to do so. Recent diplomatic tensions and the grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine have not directly impacted the planned transfer of MiG-29s.
The EU is currently training Ukrainian combat pilots as part of the existing European mission EUMAM, albeit without sharing exact numbers on the number of trainees. France offers a comprehensive combat pilot training program, with Ukrainian pilots receiving training on Alpha Jet training aircraft and later transitioning to combat aircraft from allied nations.
