Europe scraps plan to supply Ukraine with additional fighter jets
A Polish Mig-29 fighter jet takes flight. (Photo: Polish MND)
Contrary to earlier reports, Ukraine will not be receiving additional fighter jets as it looks to stop a Russian invasion that shows no signs of relenting.
Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia have all officially ruled out supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, despite the EU previously committing to such a move.
The three prospective suppliers were the only candidates across Europe which could have supported an urgent request from Kyiv on the basis that they operate fighters common to the Ukrainian Air Force.
All three have MiG-29 fleets while Bulgaria also operates Su-25 aircraft.
‘We are not joining the [Russian-Ukrainian] conflict, NATO is not a party to that conflict,’ said Poland’s President Andrzej Duda during a 1 March press conference at Łask Air Base, Mauryca. ‘We are supporting
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Defence Notes
-
![Reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine (podcast)]()
Reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine (podcast)
In a new-look Shephard Defence Podcast, the news team discusses the rapidly-evolving situation in Ukraine and latest developments following Russia's unprovoked invasion.
-
![Italy may donate 155mm howitzers to Ukraine]()
Italy may donate 155mm howitzers to Ukraine
Ukraine could obtain more 155mm howitzers — this time from Italy — as Kyiv seeks to tip the artillery balance against Russia.
-
![Germany mulls supplying IRIS-T to Ukraine]()
Germany mulls supplying IRIS-T to Ukraine
Will Germany decide to provide ten medium-range SAM systems to Ukraine?
-
![Reina Isabel returns to port after partial failure to complete Ukraine delivery]()
Reina Isabel returns to port after partial failure to complete Ukraine delivery
The Spanish Navy support vessel Reina Isabel returned to its homeport on 13 May after a mission to deliver arms, ammunition and Ukraine — although Kyiv did not receive everything it expected.
-
![Pitfalls remain with giving Ukraine modern fighter jets]()
Pitfalls remain with giving Ukraine modern fighter jets
It seems appealing to fast-track pilot training by conducting most flights on simulators and omitting certain procedures if the West were to give more modern aircraft for Ukraine’s air force, but it might prove challenging in practice.
-
![Down, but not out (Comment)]()
Down, but not out (Comment)
The sinking in April of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea flagship, although not evidence of a major change in the naval domain, is a far cry from the pre-emptive scuttling of Ukraine’s own flagship. The donation of increasingly advanced materiel demonstrates increased faith in Ukraine’s ability to resist the Russian invaders.
