Ukraine has more fighter jets after 2 years, but lacks ammunition 0
(Dan Tri) – A Ukrainian air force officer announced that the country owns more fighter aircraft than in 2022 but did not disclose the specific number.
A Sukhoi Su-24MR of the Ukrainian Air Force (Photo: Spotters/Eugene Dmitriyenko).
`We now have a much larger number of aircraft than at the beginning of the ‘special military operation,’` Yevhen Bulatsik, commander of Ukraine’s 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade, told a newspaper.
Mr. Bulatsik did not give specific numbers.
The commander praised the engineers for being able to quickly repair damaged aircraft.
`All crews are ready to perform missions day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions,` Mr. Bulatsyk said.
The Ukrainian Air Force was initially outnumbered by the Russian Air Force, leading some to predict a scenario where Kiev’s aircraft fleet would be completely destroyed.
According to information from the US, in the first weeks of the conflict, Ukraine had about 56 aircraft in operation, most of which were Soviet-era aircraft models.
After months of lobbying, Ukraine’s allies also agreed to provide some US-made F-16 fighter jets.
According to Forbes, the Ukrainian air force lost about 69 aircraft in the first year of the conflict but was able to replenish its forces thanks to the restoration of old airframes in storage and the aid of new aircraft from allies.
There is no shortage of aircraft, the problem is ammunition
Among the Ukrainian aircraft lost after 2 years were 18 Su-24s, according to Forbes.
The above missile models have a long range, enough to be launched from the Su-24 at a distance of dozens of kilometers behind the defense line and still be able to attack targets in the Crimean peninsula.
After independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited at least a hundred Su-24 bombers, maybe even up to 200.
In fact, missiles are what the Ukrainian Air Force needs most.
France has pledged to deliver 40 more SCALP-EG missiles in January. Meanwhile, the UK has not yet promised to deliver more Storm Shadows because of concerns about depleted stocks.
Germany can send Taurus missiles directly to Ukraine, but German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz has always opposed sending such long-range weapons for fear of escalating risks.
