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Photo: Sergey Drozdov (Air Force Command Press Service)
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine plans to buy a US fighter squadron by 2035. At the same time, Ukraine will hardly be able to create its own fighter jet in the near future.
This was stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine by the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Sergei Drozdov.
According to him, it will take at least 10 years and 10 billion dollars to create a prototype of his own fighter plane.
“It is unlikely that Ukraine will succeed in creating a fighter plane, a multifunctional fighter in the near future. For this, first of all, we do not have a proper scientific basis, we do not have production capabilities, experience. Ukraine can only produce military transport aircraft, “Drozdov said.
In this sense, the Armed Forces plan to acquire aviation equipment abroad from partner countries. In particular, it is planned to acquire equipment from the United States.
“We are talking about a single type of multipurpose fighter, which would later replace all kinds of Soviet-style military aviation: fighters, attack planes, bombers. Of course, the Air Force would also like to have modern technology, such as the American F-35, our pilots would dream of flying in those planes “- said Colonel General.
At the same time, he added that Poland, despite the fact that it has been an ally of the United States and a full member of NATO for a long time, has only now managed to start talking about receiving F-35 fighters.
“By the way, the Poles went exactly this way, when armed with F-16s alongside the MiG-29. Such an experience from Poland would be the most acceptable to us: getting a squad of fighters and putting it into service with one of the brigades. tactical aviation of the Air Force. “- said the Commander of the Air Force.
According to him, there should be no problems with retraining of flight personnel, but there are nuances with the technical base, repairs and technical support of the aerodrome.
Recall that in May, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine presented a development plan until 2035. He noted the need for additional funding from the government.
