HISTORY

The air war over Ukraine

Calm before the storm

Text: Miro Barič

The moment when HARM rocket is just being launched was captured. The rear mirrors show that HTS container is missing from the underwing hard points.

The frontline in Ukraine has been stabilized for a long time. During

the reported period from July 16 to September 1 the line virtually

has not changed. Despite the massive shelling there was only

a moderate advancement of couple of kilometers forward and

couple of kilometers backwards at another location. However,

regarding the air war over Ukraine, three decisive events took

place, as described herewith. Consequently, the major changes

took place at the frontline since the Russian retreat from Kiev at

the end of March and beginning of April.

It started with serious talks about the possible deliveries of modern Western aircraft to Ukraine. Then it was confirmed

that Ukraine had not only received the

American anti-radar rockets HARM but

also that they were successfully deployed. And thirdly, during the reported period so far unseen massive attacks against

the Russian airbases in the occupied Crimea took place. At the outbreak of the war

Ukraine was asking her allies for, at that

time urgently needed, combat aircraft deliveries. Initially the Soviet types MiG-29

and Su-25 in Polish, Slovak and Bulgarian

air force inventories were being considered. In March the whole project spectacularly collapsed since no one was willing to

supply these aircraft to Ukraine directly.

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INFO Eduard

All those complicated schemes, including

the aircraft transfer via several countries

failed as there was always someone involved who would not want to risk the conflict

escalation.

Since then, however the situation has

changed significantly. Ukraine has already received decidedly more effective

weapon systems which the allies were

afraid to supply during the first weeks of

the conflict. The Su-25 ultimately did reach Ukraine (however via a proxy) and in

August another four Su-25 followed from

Northern Macedonia. As of September 1,

the Slovak MiG-29 fighters are grounded

and even though the Slovak Ministry of Defense keeps the silence it is a “public secret” that they are possibly earmarked for

Ukraine. There are 11 MiG-29 upgraded to

AS version in the Slovak AF inventory and

couple of more non-airworthy as a source

of the spare parts. Maybe we can report

more details next time.

However, Ukraine and her biggest ally,

USA are looking beyond the antiquated

Soviet era aircraft. In the middle of July,

the House of Representatives of the USA

Congress approved the bi-partisan proposal to earmark 100 million USD for the

conversion training of the Ukrainian pilots

to the American aircraft. The proposal was

presented by Democratic congresswoman

Chrissy Houlahan and Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger and the politicians

from both sides of the aisle voted for it.

The goal is to train the Ukrainian pilots to a

point where they can be ready to immediately fly the American aircraft once the USA

decides to supply them. The Ukrainian AF

speaker, Col. Juryi Ignat told the Air Force

Magazine that there are at least 30 pilots

competent in English who could leave for

the USA in case the training agreement

goes in the effect. They would be joined by

the ground personnel who would learn to

maintain the American fighters.

What type of fighters are we talking about?

General Charles Q. Brown, USAF Chief of

Staff tried to make the process as vague

as possible. On July 20, at the Securi-

October 2022