All Ukrainian Air Force articles
-
NewsPentagon deploys first one-way attack squadron using Shahed-136 derivative
US Central Command has activated its first one-way attack squadron, operating strike drones reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze aircraft – marking a major shift toward low-cost offensive drone capabilities.
-
AnalysisHow the Ukraine war has (and has not) changed the helicopter’s role in combat
Significant Russian helicopter losses in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war have led many to proclaim the end of rotary-wing aviation in combat, but a former US Army general and Bell executive argues it was just bad tactics and poor planning.
-
NewsUkraine signs deal with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighters
Ukraine has signed a procurement agreement with France covering the acquisition of 100 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters by 2035, along with air defence systems and joint drone production programmes.
-
NewsSaab discussing extra production hub to support Ukrainian Gripen E purchase
Saab is already looking at ways of significantly increasing production of its Gripen E fighter to satisfy a major opportunity to equip the Ukrainian air force from later this decade, chief executive Micael Johansson says.
-
NewsUkrainian air force could acquire up to 150 Gripen E fighters from 2026 via pact with Sweden
Ukraine has announced its interest in making a possible major acquisition of Saab Gripen E fighters, with a letter of intent having been signed with the Swedish government on 22 October.
-
NewsUkraine exploring purchase of Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell exploring the purchase of combat helicopters.
-
NewsNATO scrambles F-16s, F-35s in response to Russian air incursion into Poland
More than a dozen Russian uncrewed aircraft entered Polish territory on 10 September, prompting a coordinated defensive operation involving fighters, tankers and air defence systems.
-
NewsBabcock eyes military training expansion and hails Ukraine contribution
UK aviation services provider Babcock has highlighted the ongoing success of its contribution to the training of Ukrainian air force pilots, as it eyes further expansion of its training business across Europe.
-
AnalysisVideo indicates two Russian A-50s targeted in Ukrainian drone strike
New video of the clandestine attack on 1 June released by the Security Service of Ukraine shows dozens of aircraft being targeted by drones, including two of Russia’s A-50 airborne early warning and control platforms.
-
NewsUkraine strikes Russian bombers in clandestine drone attack
Video footage shows quadcopter drones striking multiple Tupolev Tu-95 bombers parked in the open, the result of what Ukraine is describing as a clandestine operation that smuggled over a hundred of the weapons deep into Russia.
-
NewsPentagon sending decommissioned F-16s to Ukraine for spare parts
The US Air Force says it is providing non-operational Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Ukraine to support the sustainment of Kyiv’s fleet of used jets provided by European allies.
-
NewsUkraine’s Raybird UAV flies with hydrogen fuel cell
Ukrainian uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) developer Skyeton has conducted an in-country test flight of its Raybird platform fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell.
-
NewsRussia lost over 100 attack helicopters in first two years of Ukraine war, study suggests
Analysis of open-source data suggests Russia lost over 100 attack helicopters during the first two years of the Ukraine war, a study carried out by a NATO agency has concluded.
-
NewsFirst donated Mirage 2000-5 fighters arrive, as Ukraine also boosts F-16 fleet
Ukraine’s air force has received its first Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5 fighters from France, while also continuing to boost its fleet of donated Lockheed Martin F-16s.
-
NewsUkraine to receive 30,000 new surveillance and attack drones
Kyiv is to take delivery of 30,000 new uncrewed surveillance and attack drones, via a multinational initiative jointly led by Latvia and the UK.
-
AnalysisHow the global military fleet shapes up in our 2025 World Air Forces review
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 161 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
-
AnalysisUncertain US defence partners congratulate Donald Trump on election win
With global tensions ranging from simmering to raging, leaders of the USA’s many security partners are lining up to congratulate former American president Donald Trump on re-election to the top office, amid significant uncertainty about his intended security policies.
-
NewsL3Harris exploring maritime variant of Vampire drone defence system
The truck-mounted Vampire guided-rocket system was one of the first counter-UAS weapons provided to Ukraine by the Pentagon, and may soon see active service aboard ships.
-
NewsHow Ukraine turned mobile phone microphones into an air defence network
After enduring wave after wave of cheap suicide drones bombarding its cities, Ukraine found a novel solution for detecting and tracking the low, slow uncrewed aerial vehicles: microphones that can identify the airborne threats based on their audio signature.
-
NewsZelensky presses allies over cruise missile targeting restrictions
Ukraine has repeated a call for its Western allies to allow it to begin using donated air-launched cruise missiles and other advanced weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.