Fighter aviation of Ukraine
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine got a very powerful grouping of air defense forces, the like of which was not in any of the union republics. Only Russia possessed a large arsenal of ground-based anti-aircraft weapons and fighters. In addition to numerous air defense systems and radars, Ukraine received the property of three air armies (1 combat aircraft).
As of the beginning of 1992, the Ukrainian sky was protected by two corps (49th and 60th) of the 8th separate air defense army. In addition, the 28th Air Defense Corps of the 2nd Separate Air Defense Army was located on the territory of Ukraine. The 8th Air Defense Army included: 10 fighter and 1 mixed air regiment, 7 anti-aircraft missile brigades and regiments, 3 radio engineering brigades and a regiment. The fighter aviation regiments were armed with interceptors: Su-15TM, MiG-25PD/PDS, MiG-23ML/MLD. By the time the Belovezhskaya Accords were signed, several air regiments based at Ukrainian airfields were in the process of being re-equipped with new equipment. Su-27 fighters managed to receive the 136th Guards IAP and the 62nd IAP.
Ukrainian fighter aviation from 1992 to 2014
In total, after the division of Soviet property, Ukraine received more than 2 aircraft for various purposes. Of the fighters, 800 Su-40s and 27 MiG-220s were the most valuable. In 29, Ukraine had the fourth largest fleet of combat aircraft in the world, second only to the United States, Russia and China in this indicator. However, much of the Soviet aviation legacy for independent Ukraine turned out to be redundant. First of all, fighters built between 1992 and 1971 were decommissioned. By 1985, all interceptors: MiG-1997PD / PDS, MiG-25ML / MLD and Su-23TM were written off or transferred to storage.
Satellite image of Google Earth: aircraft stored on the territory of the Zaporozhye Aircraft Repair Plant "MiGremont", the image was taken in October 2011
A significant part of the fresh and modern MiG-29s at that time was put up for sale. Since gaining independence, Ukraine has exported about 240 military aircraft and helicopters. Of these, more than 95% are vehicles inherited during the division of the Soviet Air Force and Air Defense. Of the new aircraft for export, only transport An-32 and An-74 were built.
After 20 years of “independence”, the number of combat aircraft capable of effectively intercepting air targets and performing air superiority missions has decreased many times over. So, in 2012, 16 Su-27s and 20 MiG-29s were in flight condition, although the air force formally included 36 Su-27s and 70 MiG-29s. According to the annual report Flightglobal Insight's World Air Forces 2015, the number of aircraft and helicopters of the Ukrainian Air Force in flight condition did not exceed 250 units. In total, for the period from 1992 to 2014, 3 Su-27s and 4 MiG-29s were lost in flight accidents.
Before relations with Russia were hopelessly damaged, there was a theoretical possibility of acquiring modern combat aircraft or a radical modernization of those available with Russian technical support. But until 2014, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine believed that Ukraine not only had a sufficient number of fighters, but also had some surpluses.
Illusions dissipated after the start of the ATO in the east of the country. During the sorties, it turned out that the poor technical condition aviation equipment, as well as poor training of the flight and technical personnel, have an extremely negative impact on the ability of combat aviation to perform assigned tasks. Since there was no enemy in the air over the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the Ukrainian MiG-29s were involved in strikes on the ground. At the same time, at least two MiG-29s were lost. One Su-27 was damaged, but was able to return to its airfield.
As of 2014, Ukraine had many problems in terms of maintaining its Air Force in a combat-ready state, and after the destabilization of the situation in the country, this became even more difficult. Due to the lack of resources (kerosene, spare parts and qualified specialists), most of the Ukrainian fighter aviation was chained to the ground. In March 2014, the Ukrainian Air Force lost infrastructure facilities on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, as well as part of the aircraft and military equipment. So, seven MiG-29s and two MiG-29UBs were irretrievably lost at the Belbek airfield.
However, after 2018, thanks to serious financial injections and a number of personnel decisions, the combat capability of Ukrainian aviation units began to improve. This was largely possible due to the repair base preserved in Ukraine, which made it possible to maintain the existing MiG-29 and Su-27 in flight condition.
Modernization and overhaul of Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters
In addition to the aircraft factories in Kyiv and Kharkov, Ukraine inherited two aircraft repair enterprises from the USSR: the MiGremont Zaporozhye Aircraft Repair Plant and the Lvov State Aircraft Repair Plant.
Satellite image of Google Earth: aircraft equipment on the territory of the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant, the image was taken in March 2020
The Ukrainian aircraft repair industry managed to survive thanks to the fulfillment of export orders. Thus, at the end of 2005, Ukraine signed a contract with Azerbaijan for the supply of 12 MiG-29s and 2 MiG-29UBs from the Air Force. At the same time, according to the terms of the deal, the aircraft had to undergo refurbishment and modernization. Thus, Ukrainian specialists got the opportunity to test "in practice" the theoretical developments under the program of "small modernization" of MiGs. Work on the modernization of the MiG-29 (modification 9.13) began at the Lvov Aircraft Repair Plant in 2007.
Fighter MiG-29, which is in storage, on the territory of the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant
During the implementation of this export contract, the necessary experience and financial resources were obtained, used to modernize Ukrainian MiG-29s. In addition to the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant, the project was attended by the Orizon-Navigation enterprises and Fazotron-Ukraine CJSC, involved in the modernization of the radar.
Thanks to the upgrade of the element base and the introduction of new nodes, the detection and tracking range was increased by about 20%, and operational reliability was improved. In addition to work on extending the resource, new means of navigation and communication were installed that meet ICAO requirements. It is stated that the combat effectiveness during the interception has increased due to the use of improved medium-range air-to-air missiles R-27ER1 and R-27ET1 manufactured by the state company Artem. It was also planned to replace the Soviet R-73 melee missiles with Ukrainian-made products, but this was not achieved. The upgraded MiG-29MU1 received a new "pixel" coloring.
The Ukrainian Air Force received three MiG-29MU1 fighters in 2011. Initially, these aircraft were sent for military testing to the 40th tactical aviation brigade in Vasilkov. As of the beginning of August 2014, the Ukrainian Air Force had four MiG-29MU1s.
After 2016, modernization work continued, according to reference data, the Lviv Aircraft Repair Plant brought six more fighters to the level of the MiG-29MU1. At least two modernized fighters were damaged in flight accidents.
If an export contract helped Ukraine with the modernization of the MiG-29, then with heavy Su-27S fighters, Su-27P interceptors (modification for air defense forces) and combat training Su-27UB, they had to rely on their own resources. The enterprise responsible for the overhaul and modernization of the Su-27 was the Zaporozhye Aircraft Repair Plant MiGremont. In addition to the MiGremont plant, the Orizon-Navigation State Enterprise, the Novator State Enterprise, and the NTC Elektronpribor JSC took part in the modernization program.
Su-27UBM1
Although there were a number of specialized enterprises in Ukraine, the improvement of the main systems was reduced to the partial replacement of electronic components. In particular, in the N001 pulse-Doppler radar, the receiving path unit, the master oscillator unit and the digital processing unit were replaced, which made it possible to increase the selection of signals received by the radar and increase the detection range of air targets. Navigation capabilities have been improved through the use of a satellite positioning system.
To comply with ICAO standards, a new on-board navigation and blind landing equipment was installed. The Soviet-made on-board transponder was replaced with a device of a similar purpose developed by the State Enterprise "Novator". Also, new means of registration and communication appeared on board.
From all of the above, it can be seen that the level of modernization of the Su-27 in Ukraine relative to the original machines was very modest. In fact, the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Su-27s did not change for the better and were significantly inferior to the modernized Russian Su-27SM fighter.
Su-27S1M
The modernization of the Su-27 dragged on, the first aircraft that underwent a major overhaul and "minor" modernization was handed over to the Ukrainian Air Force in February 2012. In mid-April 2014, the customer received another Su-27.
According to unconfirmed reports, as of 2021, the Ukrainian Air Force received six repaired and partially modernized single and double: Su-27P1M, Su-27S1M and Su-27UBM1.
The state of Ukrainian fighter aviation by February 2022
According to reference data, in mid-February 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force had 7 pairs of Su-27UBs (1–2 modernized Su-27UBM1), 30 Su-27S/P (4–5 Su-27P1M and Su-27S1M), 8 pairs of MiG-29UBs, 8–10 MiG-29MU1s and 25–30 unmodernized single-seat MiG-29s (9.13). Some more Su-27s and MiG-29s were in storage. But these were mostly machines that had run out of resources and had prospects for further use only as a donor of spare parts. According to expert estimates, the share of technically serviceable fighters in the Air Force of Ukraine has never exceeded 70%.
MiG-29 fighters are armed with the 40th tactical aviation brigade (air command "Center"), stationed at the Vasilkov airfield southwest of Kyiv.
Satellite image of Google Earth: MiG-29 fighters and L-39 training aircraft at the Vasilkov airfield
The MiG-29 was until recently flown by pilots of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade (Air Command "West") stationed at the Ivano-Frankivsk airfield in the west of the country. However, in 2021, most of the fighters at this airfield were put into storage.
Satellite image of Google Earth: MiG-29 fighters at the Ivano-Frankivsk airfield
The 204th tactical aviation brigade of mixed composition, based at the Lutsk airfield in the Volyn region, which has MiG-29 fighters (some were returned from the Crimean Belbek airfield), L-39 trainers and Su attack aircraft is also subordinate to the West Air Command. -25.
Ukrainian Su-24Ms belonging to the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade are also based in Lutsk. Moreover, as of the end of 2021, there were much more front-line bombers in Lutsk than fighters.
Satellite image of Google Earth: MiG-29 fighters, L-39 training aircraft and Su-24M front-line bombers at the Lutsk airfield
The air command "Center" has two brigades armed with heavy Su-27 fighters.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Su-27 fighters at the Ozernoe airfield
The 39th separate tactical aviation brigade is stationed at the Ozernoye airfield in the Zhytomyr region. However, this unit was formally listed as a brigade, but in fact it was an air group. It consisted of no more than five fighters capable of taking to the air.
The main part of the Ukrainian Su-27s was concentrated in the 831st tactical aviation brigade, deployed at the Mirgorod airfield in the Poltava region.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Su-27 fighters and L-39 training aircraft at the Mirgorod airfield
However, the parking lots of this large air base were also slightly filled, which indicates a clear shortage of combat aircraft in the Ukrainian Air Force.
In-depth training of flight technicians was carried out at the Nikolaev Specialized Combat Training Center.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Su-27 fighters, L-39 training aircraft, Su-25 attack aircraft and Il-76 military transport aircraft at the Nikolaev airfield, the image was taken in April 2021
At the airfield located east of Nikolaev, on a permanent basis, in addition to other aircraft, there are 10-12 MiG-29s and Su-27s used for training and education. Some of these machines were in a non-flying condition and were intended for training and training of ground technical personnel.
Participation of Ukrainian fighters in hostilities
Prior to the start of the JMD, American intelligence had fairly accurate information about the plans of the Russian military command and shared some of the data with the Ukrainian military-political leadership. As in the case of mobile air defense systems, most of the capable Ukrainian fighters were removed from the attack. The planes were dispersed over civilian airfields and sheltered in high-strength protective structures.
At the first stage of the military campaign, Russian missile and bomb strikes on Ukrainian air bases basically eliminated vehicles that did not have a great combat value: with an exhausted resource or used as training aids. The damage inflicted by Russian aircraft and cruise missiles on the ground infrastructure of Ukrainian air bases was, in most cases, not critical.
The repair services repaired the craters on the runway and taxiways quite quickly, and the delivery of aviation fuels and lubricants, consumables and weapons was also urgently organized to compensate for the supplies partially lost during Russian air attacks. Ukrainian aircraft repair enterprises were badly damaged, several aircraft that were in the workshops were destroyed and seriously damaged. But in the short term, this did not matter and did not have a noticeable effect on the course of hostilities.
At the initial stage of the military special operation, the Russian Aerospace Forces had unconditional superiority. But soon the Ukrainian military aviation recovered from the initial shock, and its presence became noticeable.
Although the Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27 did not play such a role in the air defense organization as medium-range and long-range air defense systems, they nevertheless conducted several air battles and were involved in the interception of Russian cruise missiles and drones.
Without reliable and confirmed by independent and unbiased sources of information, it is impossible to judge the results of the combat activities of the Air Force of Ukraine and the losses.
According to information published by the Russian Defense Ministry, since the beginning of the special operation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 265 aircraft and 145 helicopters. If you believe this, then the Ukrainian military aviation has long gone into a deep minus. However, Western experts write that Ukraine still has two dozen capable fighters. However, their technical condition leaves much to be desired.
The Ukrainian MiG-29s are mainly used to deliver NAR strikes against ground targets, trying not to enter the coverage area of Russian air defense systems. In addition to using unguided aircraft weapons, the MiG-29 was adapted to carry American AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles.
Start PRR AGM-88 HARM from the Ukrainian MiG-29
In September 2022, a photo of a Ukrainian Su-27 with American PRRs appeared. This is the first time that a Su-27 carrying missiles of this type has been seen. Given the longer flight range than the MiG-29, the Su-27 with such weapons poses a great danger to ground and ship radars.
Judging by the published photographs, AGM-88 HARM missiles are suspended on standard APU-470 launchers, which are used on the MiG-29 and Su-27 to fire R-27 medium-range missiles.
It is obvious that the use of modern high-speed PRR by the Ukrainian side significantly complicates the combat work of Russian air defense systems, which previously worked in a relatively simple environment.
It is worth noting that the intensity of the combat work of Ukrainian aviation would have been significantly lower without logistical support from the West. Apparently, Ukrainian fighters not only receive spare parts from NATO countries where MiG-29s are available, but are also being repaired and based in Poland.
A material and quite noticeable confirmation of this is the commissioning of the MiG-29 fighters belonging to the Ukrainian Falcons aerobatic team, which were in storage for a long time. Western sources claim that this became possible after the supply of spare parts from an unnamed country, but hints are made that Warsaw was involved in the restoration of the fighters.
The other day there was information that one MiG-29 crashed on October 13 near Vinnitsa while trying to intercept "drone-kamikaze "" Geranium-2 ". Judging by the photographs of the wreckage, this aircraft used to be part of the Ukrainian Falcons aerobatic team.
Deliveries of fighters from NATO countries
After it became clear that the Russian NMD would not end in a short time, and the conflict became protracted, NATO countries began to provide large-scale military assistance to Ukraine.
At the initial stage, Ukraine asked for Soviet-style combat aircraft, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine could use without retraining. Of the Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters, there are in Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia.
In March 2022, there was talk of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine (single-seat MiG-29A (modifications 9.12) and double MiG-29UB (modifications 9.51), of which there were 23 units in flight condition. Some of the aircraft were overhauled at Aircraft Repair Plant No. 2 in the city of Bydgoszcz However, for a number of reasons, Poland did not deliver its fighters, limiting itself to technical support and the provision of repair facilities.
After the "velvet divorce" with the Czech Republic, Slovakia got 9 single MiG-29A and one double MiG-29UB. In 1993, Bratislava received 12 more single-seat MiG-29s and 2 twin MiG-29UBs as part of the Russian debt. In 2004, Slovakia signed a contract with RAC MiG for the modernization of these aircraft. The modernization of the MiG-29A to the level of the MiG-29AS and the extension of their service life were carried out at the aircraft repair plant in Trencin, which serves the entire aircraft fleet of the Slovak Air Force.
According to RAC MiG, the Slovak Air Force, subject to proper maintenance, could operate the MiG-29AS until 2030. Non-modernized aircraft that had exhausted their resource were put into storage. In August, it became known that Slovakia intends to transfer 11 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force, apparently, we are talking about modernized MiG-29AS. Aircraft in storage will become a source of spare parts.
The Bulgarian Air Force has operated MiG-29 fighters since 1989. In total, the Bulgarian Air Force received 18 MiG-29A and four combat training MiG-29UB. Overhaul and modernization of Bulgarian MiGs since 2003 have been carried out at the TEREM plant in Plovdiv. This made it possible to extend the service life of the aircraft, but by 2021, most of the formally available 16 Bulgarian Air Force fighters were in poor technical condition, and they are mainly of interest as donors of components and assemblies.
In the spring of 2022, the Romanian government seriously considered the issue of transferring MiG-21 Lancer fighters converted from the MiG-21MF by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries and the Romanian company IAR Brasov to Ukraine. In 2021, Romania had two dozen single-seat MiG-21 Lancer C and four double-seat MiG-21 Lancer B. All Romanian Lancers were planned to be written off in the near future after the arrival of F-16 fighters from Norway. However, given the age and technical condition of these aircraft, it was decided that they had no serious combat value.
In July 2022, the US House of Representatives approved the allocation of $100 million for the training of Ukrainian pilots. Initially, information was received that the Ukrainians would master the F-15 and F-16 fighters. But in the autumn it became known that training was being carried out only on F-16 fighters. Most likely, this takes place at the Luke base in Arizona.
Observers agree that in the future, Ukraine will most likely receive used Block 50/52 modification aircraft taken from the presence of the US Air Force or one of the NATO countries. It can also be F-16AM / BM (modernized fighters built in the second half of the 1980s).
The official Russian media claims that Ukraine will have access to Western fighters no earlier than in 2 years. But this is an attempt at complacency. The training of F-16 pilots, who already have experience flying the MiG-29 and Su-27, takes 2-3 months in intensive mode, about the same time is required for the training of ground technical personnel. After that, American-made combat aircraft may appear in the Ukrainian Air Force in the near future. It is also possible that volunteers from Western countries with combat experience will fly on the Fighting Falcons, transferred to the Ukrainian Air Force, and specialists from private military aviation companies will be attracted to service them.
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