When it comes to Ukrainian aviation, this year will not bring a breakthrough, although the first swallows will appear – said the former commander of the GROM special division, General Roman Polko. According to the general, “only in about two years will we be able to talk about whether Ukraine has acquired any aircraft capable of conducting air operations and supporting systems conducting operations on the ground.”
The Polish Press Agency asked General Bolko when Ukraine would be able to fight for air superiority with the F-16. – When it comes to Ukrainian aviation, this year will not bring a breakthrough, although the first swallows will appear – he said.
American F-16 fighter jetsdefense.gov
– I think that only in about two years, if this assistance continues, we will be able to say that we have actually built or bought some kind of aircraft that Ukraine can conduct air operations. Support the organizations that actually conduct operations on the ground – he said.
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Delays in providing aid to Ukraine
General Polko noted the delay in providing aid to Western countries, while the advanced technology transferred to Ukraine requires a “smart” soldier and long-term preparation, particularly in the case of F-16 pilots.
– When we implemented the F-16 system in Poland in peacetime, it took us a few years. Ukraine will really experiment. It would be worse if the pilots took off and the engines were immediately brought down by the plane's weakest factor, namely the humans, he said.
The former GROM commander emphasized that in addition to aircraft, the Ukrainian army needs missile systems not only for defense, but also for long-range attacks, deep behind the enemy and reserves for the airport from which Russian strategic aircraft take off.
Also read: Ukrainian military intelligence conducts “special operations” in Russian territory near border
– Turns out the US would rather dispose of some missiles than hand them over to the belligerent Ukrainians. I hope European leaders will meet at the NATO summit and talk openly, account for the announcements made and not implemented a year ago, and make up the arrears, Bolko noted.
On Saturday, the Danish Defense Ministry announced that the transfer of 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will take place in the second quarter of 2024. The Netherlands is also set to donate 42 of its aircraft, but no date for such a transfer has yet been announced.
Main photo source: defense.gov
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