Ukraine's Soviet jets transformed with modern weaponry boost
The Ukrainian army is effectively modernizing Soviet aircraft by integrating them with modern weaponry. According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski describes how Ukraine is managing this challenge. He points out that "keeping equipment combat-ready is becoming an art."
The Ukrainian army, despite limited resources, is successfully modernizing its Soviet aircraft, such as the Su-24, Su-27, and MiG-29. Thanks to the engineers, these Cold War-era machines are becoming platforms for contemporary weapons. Expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski emphasizes that this is indeed a challenge, but Ukraine is successfully integrating these aircraft with modern armaments.
Ukrainians are modernizing their equipment
Khrapchynski mentions, among others, the Su-24s, which have been adapted to carry British Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles, boosting their ability to attack targets over long distances. Meanwhile, the MiG-29 and Su-27 can now carry American JDAM-ER bombs, facilitating precise strikes on the enemy's rear.
Additionally, Ukraine is working on integrating AGM-88 HARM missiles capable of destroying enemy air defence systems, which opens up airspace for other methods of attack. However, the biggest challenge remains maintaining these machines as combat-ready amid limited resources. "Keeping machines combat-ready is becoming an art," Khrapchynski observes.
Khrapchynski notes that the lack of spare parts and a limited number of factories means that each flight requires intensive work from engineers. "Few understand that sometimes one flight means half a day of work for engineers with an entire hangar of spare parts," he explains.
The expert emphasizes that achieving air parity is not only about the number of fighters but involves an entire system in which every element has its task. This includes aviation, air defence, electronic warfare systems, and drones. Ukraine aims to create such a system, which will allow it to gain air superiority.
Ukrainian F-16s
Thanks to international support, Ukraine is receiving modern aircraft like the F-16, significantly strengthening its ability to fight effectively in the air. The F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon, or Block 20 MLU (Mid-Life Update) models, provided to the Ukrainian army were previously part of the air forces of Western countries, mainly the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. The F-16AM is a single-seater variant, while the F-16BM is a two-seater version often used for training purposes but retains full combat capabilities.
Although these machines are from earlier generations of F-16s, the MLU modernization has enhanced their combat capabilities to levels comparable to later Block 50/52 versions. They have been equipped with modern avionics, communication systems compliant with NATO requirements, modern AN/APG-66(V)2 Doppler radars, and the ability to use a wide range of precision weaponry. Among this weaponry are JDAM-guided bombs, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
