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Ukraine’s Combat Aircraft Acquisitions Since Early 2022

by Roman Cheplyk
Friday, February 14, 2025
4 MIN
Ukraine’s Combat Aircraft Acquisitions Since Early 2022
Aviation Economy Import International affairs Technologies

According to ex-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine started the full-scale conflict with around 120 combat aircraft, of which only about a third were fully operational. step dad little_paw

  • These were primarily Soviet-designed MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24, and Su-25 jets.
  • Losses During the War:
    Open-source intelligence suggests Ukraine has lost approximately 103 aircraft since February 2022 (including transport and training aircraft).

2. Soviet-Era Aircraft Received from Allies

  1. Su-25 “Grach”

    • North Macedonia: In August 2022, North Macedonia transferred 4 Su-25 attack aircraft to Ukraine.
    • These were originally purchased from Ukraine in 2001 and then returned free of charge.

  2. MiG-29 Fulcrum

    • Slovakia: Donated 13 MiG-29s (various modifications) by April 2023.
    • Poland: Provided 14 MiG-29s in May 2023. Further Polish MiG-29 deliveries depend on ensuring Poland’s own air defense needs.
    • (Unverified) Bulgaria was rumored to have supplied 14 Su-25s indirectly via a NATO partner, but Bulgarian officials have not confirmed this.

3. Western-Designed Aircraft

3.1 F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • First Deliveries:
    • Arrived in August 2024, though exact numbers are not publicly confirmed. Reports suggest around 6 initially, with a long-term goal of acquiring around 100 F-16s.
  • Origin:
    • Netherlands and Denmark are among the primary suppliers.
    • Additional support and upgrades may come from other NATO countries.
  • Capabilities:
    • Can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM (medium-range) and AIM-9 Sidewinder (short-range) air-to-air missiles, vital for intercepting cruise missiles and drones.
    • Modern variants (e.g., Block 70/72) share many avionics and radar features with 5th-generation fighters, though Ukraine’s initial deliveries reportedly lack the Link-16 secure data link.
  • Roles in Ukraine:
    1. Air Superiority & Air Defense: Intercepting Russian missiles and drones.
    2. Close Air Support / Strike Coverage: Escorting other Ukrainian jets (e.g., MiG-29) during precision bombing runs using Western munitions.

3.2 Mirage 2000

  • French Mirage 2000-5F
    • Early February 2025: Ukraine received its first Mirage 2000-5F fighters from France.
    • Potential total of up to 20 jets, though French officials have not publicly disclosed the exact figure, citing security concerns.
  • Upgrades & Armaments:
    • Radar and cockpit improvements support advanced air-to-air missiles and targeting pods.
    • Can potentially integrate Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles (joint Franco-British system).

3.3 Saab 340 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control)

  • Swedish Offer:
    • Sweden promised to provide at least one Saab 340 AEW&C for long-range radar detection.
    • This aircraft can help coordinate aerial operations by detecting and tracking threats up to 300–400 km away, though it requires protective fighter cover.

3.4 JAS 39 Gripen (Potential Future Transfer)

  • Sweden’s 4th-Generation Fighter:
    • Known for its ability to operate from short runways and be serviced quickly.
    • As of late 2024, Sweden and Ukraine remain in talks; no definitive transfer has been finalized.
  • Overlap with F-16:
    • Ukraine has prioritized F-16 acquisitions but continues to explore Gripen options for further diversification.

4. Operational Use of Western Jets

  1. Air Defense
    • F-16s and Mirage 2000s can intercept cruise missiles, UAVs, and Russian aircraft at extended ranges, thus improving Ukraine’s overall air defense posture.
  2. Precision Strikes
    • Modern Western aircraft equipped with long-range missiles (e.g., Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG) offer a deeper strike capability, critical for targeting high-value assets behind the front lines.
  3. Force Multiplier
    • Advanced avionics and data-sharing capabilities (when fully enabled) help synchronize Ukrainian defenses—from fighter jets and air defense systems (Patriot, NASAMS) to ground units.

5. Summary of Transfers and Outlook

  • Total Aircraft Received: Over 51 since the start of the full-scale invasion, primarily Soviet-era MiGs and Su-25s in 2022–2023, followed by F-16s and Mirage 2000s in 2024–2025.
  • Further Deliveries Planned: Approximately 85 more aircraft are expected, including additional F-16s and Mirages, subject to training schedules, logistics, and donor nations’ defense requirements.
  • Growing Capabilities: Each new batch of modern jets or support aircraft (like AEW&C) helps Ukraine move closer to NATO-style interoperability, though the integration of advanced Western weaponry remains a work in progress.

Bottom Line

Since February 2022, Ukraine has transitioned from relying almost exclusively on aging Soviet aircraft to incorporating a modest but growing force of modern Western fighters and support planes. Although exact numbers vary and ongoing deliveries will take time to finalize, the influx of F-16s, Mirage 2000s, and potentially Gripen jets and AEW&C platforms is transforming Ukraine’s Air Force into a more capable, NATO-interoperable branch—vital for both air defense and offensive operations in the protracted conflict.

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Roman Cheplyk
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