F-16, Mirage-2000, Su-25, MiG-29: how many and what aircraft Ukraine has received since the beginning of 2022
Kyiv • UNN
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received more than 51 aircraft from partners, including MiG-29, Su-25, F-16, and Mirage-2000. Another 85 aircraft are planned to be transferred in the future.
In early February, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had received the first French Mirage 2000 fighters and F-16s from the Netherlands. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received more than fifty aircraft, both old Soviet ones, which Kyiv itself sold at one time and then received back as gifts, and modern F-16s and Mirage-2000s. In a comment to UNN, aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap spoke about the features of the transferred Western aircraft and the functions they can perform.
Details
The Ukrainian sky is becoming more protected. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has received long-awaited reinforcements - the first French Mirage 2000 fighters and F-16s from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These modern combat vehicles are already in Ukraine and will soon begin performing combat missions, strengthening our defense and ability to effectively counter Russian aggression.
Ukraine receives first Mirage 2000 and F-16 fighters - Defense Ministry06.02.25, 16:56 • 57054 views
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked France for transferring Mirage 2000 fighters and emphasized that they are already working to protect Ukraine.
An important step in the development of our military aviation - Mirage fighters from France, as we agreed with President Macron. They are already working for our defense. This direction will be expanded, and there is also a replenishment of F-16s - these are new aircraft from the Netherlands.
They are already working in our defense: Zelensky on Mirage aircraft08.02.25, 18:39 • 43107 views
The exact number of aircraft transferred is not specified, but according to previously announced plans, Ukraine is to receive up to 20 Mirage 2000-5F aircraft. French President Emmanuel Macron did not name the exact number of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft that will be transferred to Ukraine, arguing that this was to prevent enemies from taking advantage of the information.
How many aircraft Ukraine had before 2022
In November 2023, then-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi told The Economist that at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Defense Forces had only 120 aircraft.
The most important of these is air power. Control of the sky is essential for large-scale ground operations. At the beginning of the war, we had 120 combat aircraft. Of these, only one-third were usable.
The aircraft fleet in Ukraine mainly consisted of old Soviet machines. In particular, MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24, and Su-25 aircraft. That is, until 2022, the issue of providing Ukraine with aircraft was not even discussed with partners.
According to Osint analysts, Ukraine has lost 103 aircraft (including transport aviation and training aircraft - ed.) during the full-scale invasion.
Transferred aircraft
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, EU countries have transferred more than 51 aircraft to Ukraine, and another 85 aircraft are planned to be transferred. However, until 2024, partners transferred old Soviet aircraft that were exported to these countries. In particular, in August 2022, North Macedonia donated 4 Su-25 "Grach" attack aircraft to the Ukrainian military.
It should be noted that these same four Su-25s were bought by Macedonia from Ukraine in 2001 for 4 million euros, and now they have been transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine free of charge.
North Macedonian Su-25
News also appeared on the Internet that Bulgaria had provided Ukraine with 14 Su-25 aircraft, purchased at the expense of a NATO member country. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov stated that he had no information that his country had sold 14 Su-25 aircraft to NATO countries for Ukraine.
Bulgarian Su-25
In April 2023, Slovakia transferred all 13 promised MiG-29 fighters of various modifications to Ukraine. In particular, Slovakia transferred 10 MiG-29 AS/ - modernization for the Slovak Air Force, which are designated as MiG-29AS in Slovakia. This was a special export version of the fighter, which had a slightly simplified radar-sighting complex.
Slovak MiG-29
In May 2023, Poland transferred 14 MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. In 2024, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Poland was considering transferring MiG-29 fighters in subsequent aid packages. However, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that further transfer of Polish MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine is possible only if the sky over Poland is secured by equipment from other NATO countries.
Polish MiG-29
F-16, Mirage-2000, Saab 340 AEW&C, Gripen-39
The issue of transferring modern Western aircraft to Ukraine became acute in 2023 during the counteroffensive in southern Ukraine. During the offensive on the occupied southern territories, Zaluzhnyi stated in an interview with The Washington Post that Western countries would never launch an offensive without air superiority, but Ukraine had not yet received modern fighters. Fighting without aircraft is like going against weapons with bows and arrows, Zaluzhnyi said.
However, Zaluzhnyi's allies did not listen, the counteroffensive was unsuccessful, and the first F-16 aircraft arrived in Ukraine only in August 2024.
On August 4, on the 20th anniversary of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an official announcement was made about the arrival of the first aircraft in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the arrival of F-16 fighters in Ukraine. He thanked partners for their support and expressed pride in Ukrainian pilots who have already begun to use these aircraft.
“Now F-16 is a reality": Zelensky shares footage of planes05.08.24, 13:19 • 108718 views
The exact number of F-16 aircraft transferred is unknown, but it is known from open sources that about 6 aircraft were transferred. In total, about 100 aircraft are planned to be delivered, of which several dozen will be used as spare parts for maintenance.
In December, Zelenskyy announced that the second batch of F-16s from Denmark had already arrived in Ukraine.
Another batch of F-16s from Denmark is already in Ukraine - Zelenskyy07.12.24, 11:07 • 63107 views
Aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap told UNN in a comment that the capabilities of the F-16, if you take its latest modification Block 70/72 (the third generation of F-16s, which are designed to work together with 5th generation fighters), it does not differ much from the F-35.
It has the same radar, it has a lot of the same equipment. The F-35 differs in that it has a slightly different engine, which allows the fifth generation to reach supersonic speeds without engaging the afterburner, but in terms of other equipment, there is a lot that is on the F-16, the same is on the F-35. And this is indeed Block 70/72, it differs from the fifth-generation aircraft only by this engine.
The expert notes that Ukraine hoped that the delay in transferring the aircraft was due to partners planning to upgrade the F-16 to the Block 50/52 level, which would significantly enhance the machine's capabilities, but Ukrainian aircraft were transferred even without the Link-16 system (a secure information transfer system).
This system was simply removed. And this is a system for transferring information between different sources and information processing centers. Well, that is, the sources can be an Abrams tank, it can be an aircraft, it can be a Patriot. If it's an F-16, it's connected to this AWACS (NATO AWACS long-range radar detection and control system - ed.). Then all this information is collected, processed, and transmitted to consumers. An F-16 flies over some territory, sees some clusters or tanks there, transmits this information almost automatically if it has enabled this mode. And the platoon commander on the ground sees on his tablet that there is a target there. Artillerymen see this target and can hit it. This is possible, this system allows it.
According to him, the F-16 aircraft is armed with, in particular, AIM-120 missiles - an American all-weather guided medium-range air-to-air missile that can hit targets at a distance of 100 to 180+ km, depending on the modification.
AIM-120 missile
There are no other more powerful long-range air-to-air missiles on the F-16. It turns out that we were given F-16s without this Link-16 system, meaning that even if we are given Saab 340 AEW&C long-range radar detection aircraft, which the Swedes promised us, Biden said: "Why do they need two aircraft, one will be enough for them." I don't understand how this can be used if you want to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the territory and airspace, and not just airspace. Like, the Poles already have two aircraft, so let the Poles and Ukrainians monitor this territory together. Well, that's not a very good excuse.
He also notes that Ukrainian F-16s, first of all, can and will perform air defense functions.
Protection of airspace from cruise missiles and from the same "Shaheds". And moreover, it can shoot down "Shaheds" with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (short-range air-to-air missile - ed.), which in the modern version reach their target at 40 km. It is very difficult to escape from it. But it is not the cheapest, it costs almost 100 thousand, and some of the longest-range variants cost generally 300 thousand dollars.
AIM-9 missile
Earlier, UNN wrote that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot managed to destroy 6 cruise missiles at once. Four missiles were shot down by air-to-air missiles, and two by an aircraft cannon.
He also notes that one function of the F-16 in current conditions is to cover allied aircraft.
When our MiG-29s fly with French bombs, the F-16 covers them from our side. That is, F-16s take off, check the space, then MiG-29s enter at low altitudes, drop a bomb, turn around, and leave at low altitudes.
Unfortunately, at the end of August, Ukraine lost one F-16 aircraft. The F-16 fighter crashed, probably due to pilot error, not enemy fire. The incident occurred during a massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine.
As noted above, in early February, the Ukrainian Air Force received the first French Mirage 2000-5F fighters - a modification of the Mirage 2000C, in which most of the cockpit displays have been replaced with several large multi-function displays and the aircraft's interface has been modernized to use targeting pods and a wide range of guided air-to-air weapons, as well as an updated radar for guidance and information for MICA missiles.
Mirage 2000-5F
Kryvolap noted that the main advantage of this aircraft will be the installation of Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles on it.
The French have finalized this option, and now we have the opportunity to fully use these missiles. That is, the main function of the Mirages now will be to "carry" SCALPs, although they can also perform tasks such as shooting down cruise missiles and "Shaheds", and now the Kalibrs have started flying very low. Why? Because the Russians probably received very good digital maps, so-called 3D mapping, from the Chinese. And they now have the ability to fly close. Because earlier we "suppressed" Kalibrs with electronic warfare, but now, well, they find holes between electronic warfare, they slip through and pass at high altitudes.
The fact is that the "Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG" missile is an air-to-surface class, meaning it is launched from an aerial platform. However, partners first transferred missiles to Ukraine, and then thought about the platforms.
Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missile on Su-24
Previously, missiles were launched from Su-24 aircraft, but, according to the expert, this aircraft was "exclusively an aircraft that carried this missile."
But the Su-24 in this use was exclusively an aircraft that carried this missile and pressed the "launch" button. All missile preparation was done on the ground, and with the presence of the Mirage, it will be possible to change or set the target directly from the cockpit. This is a significant improvement, a significant increase in our capabilities in this matter.
In December 2023, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat stated that Sweden was considering the possibility of transferring Gripen fighters to Ukraine. At the end of May, Ukraine and Sweden signed a security agreement, which, among other things, provides for the transfer of Swedish aircraft.
Sweden considers transferring Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine - Ignat 10.12.23, 13:15 • 104241 view
"... in the field of aviation, Sweden's transfer of ASC 890 aircraft will provide Ukraine with air surveillance, command and control capabilities, which will significantly increase the operational effect of Ukrainian air defense. This transfer deepens the cooperation of the participants in the aviation field. Sweden, in cooperation with international partners, will continue to make efforts to enable the potential transfer of JAS 39 Gripen aircraft to Ukraine, including training, at the appropriate time, taking into account progress in the integration of other Western fighters into the Armed Forces of Ukraine," - the agreement states.
In July 2024, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström stated that the decision to suspend the transfer of Swedish Gripen aircraft to Ukraine was made by Kyiv itself, not Stockholm. This is due to the ongoing implementation of other Western fighters - F-16s.
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva then stated that Ukraine had not refused Swedish Gripen fighters.
This is a topic that my president constantly raises with the leadership of Sweden. And it was so even before Sweden joined NATO. For understandable reasons, they were not ready to make any promises then, as they were finalizing their membership in the Alliance. Now the country is in NATO, and my president is again communicating with the Prime Minister of Sweden, and our Ministry of Defense - with the relevant Swedish authorities. These fighters are as good as the F-16s, and we are moving in this direction.
Expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap notes that the main function of the ASC 890 long-range radar detection aircraft, known as the Saab 340 AEW&C, which Sweden promised to transfer to Ukraine, is to detect enemy targets.
Saab 340 AEW&C
According to him, Saab 340 aircraft have a kind of beam along the fuselage, not a "mushroom" like on Russian A-50s, which Ukraine shot down last January.
According to him, Saab 340 aircraft must fly along the observation line to detect targets, because it sees either 120 degrees to the left or 120 degrees to the right.
Reference: compared to traditional round radars on long-range radar detection aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry, the Saab 340 AEW&C's Erieye system radar is fixed and located longitudinally, this design reduces air resistance but has blind spots in front and behind the aircraft. The scanning area is 120 degrees on each side of the aircraft. The radar can track ships, aircraft, and missiles at distances of up to 300-400 km when flying at an altitude of 6000 m.
In addition, he emphasized that such an aircraft in some cases cannot fly on its own, meaning it needs cover.
Cover is needed if it flies very close to the line of contact. Now the Russians have the M-37M missile (Russian long-range air-to-air missile - ed.) on the Su-35, Su-30, they stated that it hits 300-400 km, I don't really believe that, but the defeat of our MiG-29 aircraft at a distance of 230 km was recorded. Therefore, if it approaches such a distance, it needs cover. Otherwise, if it flies without approaching 300 km to the line of contact or the border, it is impossible to reach it. Unless some special tactical operation is carried out, when something is done to deceive someone and be able to hit it with a missile.
The expert also notes that Swedish JAS 39 Gripen aircraft are of the same class as the F-16 and Mirage.
JAS 39 Gripen
It's just that a lot of F-16s were made and they are the main ones in NATO. And the Swedes, when they produced the Gripen, they were not in NATO. The Gripen is a very good aircraft, it has both its good qualities and not so good ones. For example, it has the ability to be serviced wherever it lands. That is, it can land somewhere on the highway, where a car with specially trained people arrives, quickly services it in 20 minutes, it takes off and flies further. But when it is necessary to do a more or less serious regulation or some repair, the aircraft must be sent to the factory where it will be serviced. Well, and the number of these aircraft is significantly less than the number of F-16s. Well, in my rating, it is second after the F-16.