Will F-16s and Mirage 2000s have a major impact on Ukraine’s counter-attack?
Will the Dassault Mirage 2000-5 make a difference in Ukraine any time soon? (Photo: Dassault Aviation)
The first F-16s have arrived in Ukraine, and Mirage 2000-5s may follow. But how much will they matter to the outcome of the conflict?
Practically from the moment that Russia first began its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had one clarion call to the rest of the world. While NATO powers set about enforcing financial sanctions and trade sanctions against the invading Russian government, Zelensky had a single, more practical focus: “Send us planes”.
That was a crucial request, because a more modern air force was crucial not only to stopping or slowing the Russian advance, but also to allowing Ukraine to fight back.
In August, 2024, more two years into a protracted conflict that much of the world
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition]()
New US Army UH-60M Black Hawk order bridges uncertain path to MV-75 transition
The US$234 million award for 16 Sikorsky UH-60Ms preserves near-term production, but funding uncertainty and an undefinitised contract leave the US Army’s long-term Black Hawk requirements unresolved.
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: US Air Force examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
