The latest review by the international media and the recent decisions of European partners are decisive for Ukraine from the viewpoint of strengthening our country's anti-aircraft defence, as well as airspace protection.
The announcement that Denmark, the Netherlands and the US will lead a new international coalition to help Ukraine build a future air force based on F-16 fighter jets was the big news of the last week, as Reuters reported. That is, as in the case of tanks, a coalition of states is forming again, which others will gradually join. The article notes that Denmark expects to deliver the first six F-16 (out of 19) to Ukraine already in March or April next year.
In addition to creating a fighter jet coalition, Germany announced a 1 billion euro air defence package for Ukraine, as Bloomberg reported. This includes an additional Patriot system to protect critical infrastructure, as well as two IRIS-T air defence systems that were promised before. The package also includes an additional 10 Leopard A1 main battle tanks, three Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and supply of 155 mm ammunition over the coming weeks.
The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article that Ukraine needs weapons, not a debate about them. Breaking through a well-prepared defence requires an extraordinary number of military forces, many of which Ukraine lacks, despite generous support from the West. It requires the sufficient number of tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and artillery systems to absorb significant losses while maintaining sufficient combat power to break through. This requires the creation of air superiority, which allows the use of aircraft over the battlefield in such a way as to prevent the enemy from using its own aircraft, and to target positions deep in the enemy's rear, including headquarters, supply points, transportation bottlenecks, and concentrations of reserves. This requires engineering assets of all types, including armoured demining equipment and vehicles that can break through anti-tank obstacles, pass through trenches and other fortifications.
The author of the article notes that if russia wins, it will be devastating for American national security, as well as for Ukraine.
If Ukraine gets the aircraft, they can become decisive on the battlefield in both defensive and offensive operations, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have to conduct to liberate territories. Powerful air forces will provide great advantages to our nation, so the move to create an air force coalition could be a turning point in the war. I thank the partners for this decision and I expect that other countries will join the coalition.
Breaking through a well-prepared defense requires an extraordinary number of capabilities, many of which Ukraine lacks despite generous Western aid. It requires tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery systems in sufficient numbers to absorb heavy losses while retaining enough combat power to exploit a penetration. It requires air superiority—the ability to operate friendly aircraft over the battlefield and prevent the enemy from using its own aircraft—and the ability to target positions deep in the enemy’s rear, including headquarters, supply points, transportation bottlenecks and concentrations of reserves. And it requires engineering assets of all types, including armored mine-clearing equipment and vehicles that can break through antitank obstacles, cross trenches, and otherwise overcome fortifications and obstacles.
Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States will spearhead a new international coalition to help Ukraine establish a future air force based on F-16 fighter jets, the Danish ministry of defence said on Wednesday.
The new coalition intends to build infrastructure around F-16s, including maintenance facilities to support the operation of the planes, the ministry said in a statement.
Denmark and the Netherlands were the first two countries to commit to donating F-16 jets to Ukraine, whose current air force has a fleet of ageing Soviet-era fighter jets, in its war with Russia.
Sweden will send Ukraine a new military support package worth 2.2 billion crowns ($199 million) - consisting mainly of artillery ammunition - and is looking into sending fighter jets, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said.
Jonson told a news conference the armed forces were due to report by Nov. 6 on the potential for sending Jas Gripen jets to Ukraine after the government asked them to assess the issue.
Germany will look to boost Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities this winter by delivering a promised package of equipment worth around €1 billion ($1.1 billion), including an additional Patriot system to help protect critical infrastructure.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government will also supply two more promised IRIS-T air-defense systems this month together with guided missiles, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday in an emailed statement. The package includes an additional 10 Leopard A1 battle tanks, three more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and supplies of 155mm ammunition over the coming weeks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to further bolster Ukraine’s air defenses to help protect the country against Russian missile attacks this winter.
The government in Berlin will supply a second Patriot air-defense system to help shield key infrastructure, Scholz told reporters Thursday after talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of a summit of European leaders in Granada, Spain.
“This is a far-reaching step,” Scholz said, adding that the package should arrive during the winter months and would make a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s security.
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