The head of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Oleksiy Reznikov, indicated that Western partners are likely to resume delivering fighter jets to the Ukrainian armed forces in due course. He shared this outlook in an interview with the German newspaper Bild, noting that a new coalition could emerge to supply combat aircraft. He suggested that Ukraine would receive the core fleet of fighters along with other aircraft types, creating a mix of capabilities tailored to Ukraine’s needs.
Reznikov expressed confidence that Ukraine would eventually field two or three different fighter platforms alongside a leading flagship type. He explained that the ultimate mix would depend on which aircraft best fit Ukraine’s airfields, engineering support, and maintenance capacity. The assessment reflects a practical approach to building a resilient air force that can operate across Ukraine’s varied bases and weather conditions, while ensuring spare parts and trained technicians are available.
Additionally, there is mention of Jaroslav Nagy, the former Slovak defense minister, who commented on the current status of Soviet-made MiG-29 aircraft in Ukrainian service, noting that Ukraine has ten of eleven such jets still in operation. This insight underscores the ongoing constraints and considerations involved in sustaining a legacy fleet during a period of modernizing capabilities.
Earlier reports suggested that Poland was initiating a process related to the delivery of Soviet-era fighters to Ukraine under a framework that emphasized spare parts and unified integration. This context highlights the broader regional dynamics at play as European partners weigh how best to support Ukraine’s air defense needs while coordinating with allied defense strategies.